ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)

The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) will celebrate Eid Al Etihad with the 11th annual "Hekayah | The Story" on Thursday, November 27, 7.30pm in The Black Box. 

The evening brings together performances by poets, singers, dancers and musicians from across the UAE to reflect on belonging, heritage and family through their personal histories.

Hekayah | The Story embodies the 11th season's theme, "Stories of our Communities", inspired by the UAE's Year of Community. The season invites audiences to explore heritage, memory and transformation, celebrating the UAE's cultural mosaic and shared human stories that connect us across generations and geographies.

Executive Artistic Director of The Arts Center, Bill Bragin commented: "Hekayah has always reflected The Arts Center's mission to celebrate the voices and stories that make up our shared community. 

This year's edition deepens that spirit by bringing together artists who make their homes in the UAE, whose personal narratives echo the collective story of the nation itself – one of connection, diversity and belonging. It's a moment for reflection and celebration, reminding us how the arts can bridge cultures and generations through empathy and creativity."

Hosted by Shahad Alsaqqaf, an Emirati writer, poet and multidisciplinary artist, the evening features: Adel Awad – Spoken word (India); Kenan Adnawi – Music (Syria); Maha Alkindi – Spoken word (UAE); Maisoon Mubarak – Music (Egypt); Malavika Suresh – Spoken word (India); Nathalia Khawand – Spoken word (Lebanon); Nima Elnour – Spoken word (Sudan/USA); Nurzy – Music (Lebanon); Omar Awbu – Music (Palestine/USA); Rei Co – Dance (Philippines); Rosan Reodica – Spoken word (Philippines); and Sandra Ivette – Music (Cuba).

In the lead-up to the performance, The Arts Center will also host a creative workshop, "Poetry in Motion: Crafting Stories for the Stage", led by poet and curator Jennah Fakhouri on Sunday, November 23.  The session invites participants to explore how words can resonate beyond the page through voice, presence, and performance.