Abu Dhabi, UAE – As part of the United Arab Emirates’ celebrations of Union Day, the memory of the founding leader, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, is renewed.
As a national and humanitarian symbol, he made heritage a project for identity,
and culture a bridge for communication between the past and the future.
Sheikh Zayed had been, since the establishment of the Union in 1971,
He understands that building a modern state does not mean severing ties with the roots,
but rather starting from them to establish a national identity rooted in values and history.
Support for arts and literature
Sheikh Zayed paid great attention to culture and arts as part of
the components of the Emirati national identity.
He was a constant supporter of poets and writers, and a lover of Nabati poetry,
which he saw as a mirror of the Emirati people’s conscience and collective memory.
For him, poetry was not a linguistic luxury, but a means of documenting
authentic values and attitudes, and a platform for expressing pride and belonging to the land.
Preserving popular heritage
He also made sure to preserve the popular heritage in its various forms,
including crafts, handicrafts, customs and traditions.
He established institutions concerned with collecting, documenting,
and transmitting this heritage to new generations.
Cultural festivals such as the “Heritage Festival” and the “Qasr Al Hosn Festival”
Others serve as platforms for reviving national memory and introducing young people to their roots.
Establishing heritage festivals
His Highness Sheikh Zayed, may God have mercy on him,
contributed to the establishment of many festivals that have become among
the most prominent cultural landmarks in the region today.
Such as the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival, the Al Dhafra Festival,
and camel beauty contests that reflect the deep connection
between the Emirati people and their environment.
He was also keen to support young poets and encourage them to preserve Nabati poetry
as a refined art that combines authenticity and innovation.
This interest has made the UAE an Arab center for reviving folk arts and Nabati poetry.
He contributed to the graduation of a new generation of poets and artists who continued
the journey of Emirati cultural identity with confidence and pride.
Preserving identity
With the accelerating manifestations of modernity, urban development, and technology,
Sheikh Zayed did not allow the national identity to dissolve in the whirlpool of change.
Rather, he made cultural heritage a solid foundation for building the Emirati individual,
instilling in generations a spirit of belonging and pride in history.
This is in addition to being open to the world with a spirit of confidence and balance.
He believed that true development could only be achieved through
cultural awareness, and that preserving the Arabic language, values,
and authentic customs was essential.
It is a guarantee for the nation’s survival in the face of rapid globalization.
Therefore, culture has become a pillar of the state’s public policy.
