The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority will organise the second edition of the Abu Dhabi Poetry Festival from February 9 to 11 2026 at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. The event aligns with the emirate’s cultural strategy to promote heritage sustainability while consolidating the standing of both Nabati and classical Arabic poetry according to the authority’s announcement. It further positions Abu Dhabi as a global hub for poets and creative talent that supports purposeful content across cultural sectors. The festival builds upon the inaugural edition held in 2023 which attracted more than 1,000 poets writers and researchers from the UAE the GCC and the wider Arab world along with over 15,000 visitors Emirates News Agency figures show.
A diverse programme will feature interactive sections including the Poetry Bridge the UAE Poetry Map the Young Poet Corner the Emirati Women Poets Corner the Performing Arts Platform and the Poetry Café the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority stated. These zones will shed light on prominent poets and their works while mapping the contemporary Emirati poetic landscape to foster knowledge exchange among scholars and specialists in classical and Nabati forms. The three-day gathering will underscore Abu Dhabi’s contribution to the advancement of Arabic poetry and nurture emerging talent at local and regional levels. Additional themed areas will cater to varied interests and age groups to broaden participation beyond the first edition’s reach.
This edition coincides with the Year of the Family 2026 highlighting poetry’s role in reinforcing social values and intergenerational connections the organising authority noted. Seminars and panel discussions will explore poetry’s presence in society its relationship with music and media as well as its function in documenting both history and contemporary life. Dedicated sessions for senior citizens university students and people of determination will feature alongside performances of traditional Emirati arts such as al-taghrudah al-mankous and rababah. The programme will also include poetry evenings that blend Nabati and classical recitals with folk literature presentations.
Nabati poetry as a vernacular expression rooted in Bedouin oral traditions continues to serve as a cornerstone of Emirati cultural identity with related competitions like Million’s Poet drawing large audiences across the region according to industry assessments. The festival will spotlight Gulf folk poetry and desert heritage through specialised panels that facilitate dialogue between established poets and new voices. By expanding youth and family-oriented initiatives including a children’s pavilion the event seeks to transmit literary heritage to future generations. Organisers have emphasised inclusion to engage segments of the public that may not traditionally attend such gatherings.
The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority has indicated that the second edition will increase both participation and attendance by introducing new audience segments such as children and youth through targeted activities. This approach reflects a broader trajectory in the emirate’s cultural programming that has seen sustained investment in literary infrastructure including museums and recurring festivals dedicated to Arabic arts. Such efforts have helped establish Abu Dhabi as a key supporter of creative movements that preserve national identity while encouraging innovation in poetic expression. The festival’s structure balances authenticity with contemporary relevance to strengthen its role as a platform for cultural dialogue.
