Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) will celebrate the legacy of a prominent personality every year, starting with the 10th century Arab poet Abu Al Tayyeb Al Mutanabbi on April 30, an official said.
A concert devoted to Al Mutanabbi is to take centre stage during the opening of ADIBF’s 24th edition at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
Arab singer Abeer Nehme, who can sing in 20 languages, will be the main performer for the concert, which will include 13 other leading Arab musicians.
The concert, titled Al Mutanabbi: Forever a Traveller, will be sung in multiple languages, including Arabic, English, French and German.
Also, actor and theatre director Jihad Al Andary will recite Al Mutanabbi’s poetry, while musical compositions will be accompanied by a chorus of six performers.
A dedicated theatre will be set up at the venue for the show.
The concert is one of many tributes for the poet at ADIBF.
A pavilion is being dedicated to Al Mutanabbi, comprising a library that compiles his literature and works written about him.
Also, a Majlis Al Mutanabbi (Al Mutanabbi assembly) will host daily lectures that will revisit the poet’s life.
The assembly will also promote Wahat Al Mutanabbi (Al Mutanabbi’s Oasis), a dedicated website about his poetry and life.
Additionally, an art exhibition inspired by Al Mutanabbi’s poetry and personality will be held throughout the fair.
More than 1,050 publishers from 50 countries are taking part in the six-day event, organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority.
“Many literary studies consider Al Mutanabbi to be the greatest Arab poet of all time, for his unparalleled eloquence, which enabled him to produce the best poetry of wisdom, philosophy and life,” said Saeed Hamdan, member of the ADIBF organising committee, during a media briefing at the Dubai Press Club on Wednesday.
“He is still present in the region’s daily life and is a source of inspiration through his poetry, his ambitious and energetic personality, and comprehensive view of the world.”
The operetta encompasses three musical works composed by Abeer, George Nehme and Wesam Kairouz in cooperation with the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra.
Abeer said: “Reciting Al Mutanabbi’s poetry in a musical way is exciting because he remains an undisputed inspirational force.”
Nawal Al Ramahi is a trainee at Gulf News
