Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The third edition of the Arabian Days Festival got underway at Manarat Al Saadiyat on December 13, with a mix of live music, AI-driven language learning, youth creativity and family-friendly performances.
The festival, coinciding with World Arabic Language Day celebrations and held under the theme “Arabic is the Vibe”, runs until December 15.
Music and storytelling came together during the “Bonfire: Musical Tales – Sung Poetry” session, which featured Fayez Al Saeed, Ali Al Khawar and an accompanying oud artist in an intimate open-air setting.
Organised in collaboration with Sounds of the UAE, the session explored how music serves as a vessel for memory and a medium for conveying stories, values and history across generations.
The evening opened with Al Saeed performing a poem by the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, highlighting the lasting influence of his poetry across generations.
Aletihad spoke to Emirati poet and lyricist Al Khawar, who reflected on the distinguishing features of Emirati poetry and its cultural roots.
“Emirati lyrical poetry is unique to the UAE, and that uniqueness is what sets it apart,” he said, explaining that this uniqueness stems from popular traditional forms that are firmly embedded in local heritage.
“Some of the lyrical poems, or the popular colours of the Emirates, have long been rooted… like the Taghrooda, Al Azi and many other forms.”
Al Khawar called on cultural institutions and companies to place greater emphasis on artistic production.
He stressed the importance of investing across different genres, including “national songs, emotional songs, social songs and children’s songs”, adding that “it is better to have more national songs, of course,” particularly for younger generations.
Emphasising the role of culture in shaping identity, he said: “We should plant in this generation the blessing of this country which we live in.”
He concluded with a message addressing young people directly, urging them to remain connected to their language and identity, saying they should “hold onto the Arabic language”, while also recognising the importance of other languages.
“It is true there is an expansion towards English, and we need both. We walk on a parallel path, so that we strengthen our Arabic language and strengthen our foreign languages as well,” he added.
Emirati singer and composer Al Saeed spoke about what sets Emirati music apart and why cultural events play a vital role in engaging youth.
On the uniqueness of Emirati music, he said: “The Emirati music has a specific rhythm, a specific melody.”
He praised the festival’s atmosphere, organisation and turnout.
Al Saeed said the message he hopes young audiences will take away from the festival is the importance of local music, saying: “I would say that we have to pay more attention to the Emirati song, their lyrics and their music.”
