‘Bayt Al Hikayat’ turns empowerment into a cultural experience at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

At the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, eight students from the Art for All Centre – Falaj brought children’s stories to life under the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre’s inclusion initiative for People of Determination.

From classroom to stage: inclusion through storytelling

The 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair provided a platform for ‘Bayt Al Hikayat’ (House of Stories), a performance by eight students from the Art for All Centre – Falaj, part of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services. The presentation formed the practical conclusion to the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre’s (ALC) initiative ‘Arabic Through the Eyes of People of Determination’, run in partnership with Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.

The programme aims to make Arabic more accessible as a tool for expression, communication and creativity, and to expand opportunities for People of Determination to participate in cultural life. It is aligned with Abu Dhabi’s wider efforts to promote inclusion and follows the ALC’s Community Campaign to Support Sustainable Reading, launched during the UAE’s Year of Community.

Training, arts and public engagement

The performance marked the end of a targeted training course that prepared the students to take part in the Fair. Specialist workshops in Arabic calligraphy and acting were delivered at the Art for All Centre – Falaj, enabling the participants to develop new practical skills under the guidance of professionals in performing and visual arts.

Drawing material from a selection of children’s books published by the ALC, the young performers combined reading, dialogue, movement and interaction to give audiences a live, creative interpretation of the texts. The approach prioritised each student’s confidence, personal expression and role within the ensemble, with direction emphasising group collaboration and the integration of different modes of communication.

Learning beyond the stage

As part of the initiative, the students toured the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair’s pavilions and sections to observe how book fairs operate and to explore publishing houses, cultural projects and translation activities. The visits were intended to familiarise them with the lifecycle of a book—from content creation through to readership—and to broaden their understanding of the cultural industries.

Parents reported notable gains in their children’s confidence, communication and ability to engage with others. The ALC said the initiative uses the arts to strengthen the connection between People of Determination and the Arabic language, opening new avenues for cultural and creative participation.

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair continues to underline its strategic role in empowering creative talent, supporting cultural inclusion and advancing the emirate’s ambition to be a knowledge-based cultural hub.

Source: WAM