Abu Dhabi: The Al Dhafra Book Festival 2023 is set to take place in Abu Dhabi from December 4 to 10, 2023. The event, organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), will be held under the theme Al Dhafra: Celebrating a Cultural Legacy at Public Park, Madinat Zayed.
The annual festival reflects ALC’s objectives to promote the Arabic language as a core pillar of Emirati identity and culture, as well as promote a love of reading and knowledge among all segments of society.
The 2023 edition brings together 50 exhibitors and features a diverse program that documents the Emirati community’s connection to its rich past.
Building on the success of previous editions, Al Dhafra Book Festival 2023 offers a rich program that spotlights Emirati cultural, literary, and artistic heritage. The agenda promises visitors a rich and memorable experience with a comprehensive range of cultural, educational, and entertainment activities that cater to all members of the public. The festival is closely connected to the unique nature of the Al Dhafra Region. It works to strengthen people’s relations with the authentic local Emirati heritage, which is a source of inspiration and fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty to the nation.
Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, shared.
For the second consecutive year, the festival presents Poetry Nights: Voices People Loved, featuring a selection of poets from the Al Dhafra Region. The festival is celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on the first day of the event, presenting a series of seminars, activities, and artistic performances featuring students from the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination.
The festival program’s cultural seminars include Sustainability from Ancestors to Descendants, in collaboration with the Environment Friends Society; Arab Youth of Today and Their Connection with the Linguistic Heritage of the Arabic Language, in collaboration with the Arabic Language Youth Council; and Together We Produce: Productive Families, highlighting the role of productive families in the region’s development and their contribution to cultural and touristic events.
At the children’s corner, the festival offers a diverse range of activities and programs for children and youth to enhance their intellectual growth and skill development in an entertaining and educational setting. The event further developed a youth section for the first time, with a media corner, science shows, a space corner, and chemistry and physics corners.
The festival’s arts program features a variety of creative aspects, including murals, caricatures, photography, and the arts, and brings together several talented artists from the Al Dhafra Region.