SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)

The UAE places Arabic language at the heart of its cultural and intellectual agenda — and this vision guides the work of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre.

On the occasion of World Arabic Language Day, marked annually on December 18, the centre reaffirms its commitment to preserving Arabic as a fundamental part of national heritage, promoting it as a vibrant medium of cultural expression, and advancing it as a language of the future.

The centre has swiftly become one of the most influential platforms for Arabic language and expression in the region, and one of its most visible initiatives is the Arabian Days Festival, which returned to Manarat Al Saadiyat from December 13 to 15 for its third edition.

Organised as a multidisciplinary cultural platform, the festival has grown into one of the region’s most influential gatherings dedicated to Arabic language, creativity and expression.

It represents a broader cultural statement, reflecting growing regional confidence in Arabic as a carrier of heritage. At the same time, it highlights Arabic as a living language capable of shaping modern thought and innovation.

This year’s theme, “Arabic is the Vibe”, encapsulated that balance, positioning Arabic as a language rooted in identity while remaining open to new forms of cultural expression.

Speaking to Aletihad, Dr Ali Bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, said Arabian Days exemplified how cultural vision can be translated into tangible public engagement.

“The Arabian Days Festival comes to further strengthen the importance of the language and to embed its presence more deeply among younger generations, whether Arabic speakers or non-native speakers from diverse cultural backgrounds.”

It demonstrated that Arabic is a collective societal project rather than the responsibility of a single institution or individual, he added.

Across three days, the festival brought together poets, filmmakers, scholars, musicians and cultural practitioners from the Arab world.

Its programme bridged classical literary traditions with emerging disciplines including film, digital storytelling and artificial intelligence.

Dr Bin Tamim stressed that “supporting Arabic content is no longer a cultural option but a knowledge and development necessity”.

This philosophy aligns with the emirate’s wider cultural strategy under the leadership of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. It also fits within national frameworks such as the National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries 2021 to 2031.

Together, these efforts have contributed to a growing creative ecosystem that supports Arabic content development across media, publishing, design, gaming and creative entrepreneurship.

Digital Accessibility Forms a Key Pillar of This Approach

Recently, Abu Dhabi inaugurated the Digital Arabic Library in partnership with Amazon, the first dedicated Arabic language storefront on the global platform.

The initiative expands global access to Arabic e-books and audiobooks, strengthens the language’s digital presence and provides meaningful support to regional publishers and creators.

Beyond Arabian Days, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre continues to advance Arabic scholarship and international cultural exchange through a range of long-term initiatives.

These include the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, international book fairs, academic research programmes and the Kalima Translation Project, which has played a central role in connecting Arabic literature with world cultures.

Collectively, these initiatives reflect a vision that positions Arabic not only as a language to be preserved, but as a dynamic force shaping education, creativity and cultural dialogue.