Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Poetry Festival successfully concluded its first edition. The festival was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) under the slogan “Poetry inspires us,” and with a presence that exceeded expectations.
It was organised by the Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with the Emirates Heritage Club, and continued for 4 days from October 12 to 15, 2023. The festival attracted more than 1,000 male and female poets, including candidates for the Million Poet Program. While the number of visitors to the festival reached more than 15,000 visitors, who had the opportunity to get acquainted with distinguished poets in the Arab world through poetic evenings.
Additionally, the festival provided an interactive platform for direct engagement between visitors and poets. The festival included the Abu Dhabi Poetry Conference, which lasted for three days for the period from October 12 to 14, during which several scientific and academic research were presented. As the conference ended, the scientific committee concluded with several recommendations.
The committee emphasised the importance of exploring new avenues to enrich the role of the cultural and heritage movement and expand its scope, serving as a window for poetry and poets, and acting as a catalyst for serious talent while developing creative content through in-depth academic studies characterised by rigor and objectivity.