Ahead of the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre will stage a multimedia tribute to late Emirati singer Jaber Jasim, blending live performances with archival visuals to reconnect new generations with the UAE's musical heritage.
Just days before the 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair opens its doors, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre is making a decisive move to anchor the city's cultural identity. On 12 September, the Centre will stage "نسيتونا حبايبنا", a one-night event that fuses live music, visual storytelling, and rare archival footage to revive the legacy of Jaber Jasim-one of the UAE's most influential musical pioneers.
This is not a routine concert. The event, set for the Cultural Foundation Theatre, marks the 25th anniversary of Jaber Jasim's passing and is designed as a contemporary reimagining of his artistic journey. Audiences will experience a blend of live performances by artists including أريام, سلطان السامرائي, علي الربيعة, محمد سالم, فيصل الساري, خليفة الحوري, and ماجد جميل, all interpreting Jasim's most iconic works. The production team, led by playwright and director ناجي الحاي, screenwriter and filmmaker محمد حسن أحمد, musician فيصل الساري, and researcher-poet علي العبدان, promises a layered experience that goes far beyond nostalgia.
"Jaber Jasim established himself in the collective memory of the UAE, the Gulf, and the Arab world through creative achievements that immortalised his artistic career," said Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre and Director of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. He emphasised that the Centre's commitment to honouring such cultural figures is not just about preservation, but about actively connecting the national memory with contemporary artistic expression.
The timing is strategic. With the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair running from 13 to 18 September, the Centre is using the momentum of the country's largest literary event to spotlight the intersection of heritage and innovation. "نسيتونا حبايبنا" is positioned as a bridge-linking the UAE's musical past with the creative energy of today's artists and audiences. The event's format, which integrates short films and archival materials, is a deliberate attempt to make cultural memory accessible and engaging for younger generations who may know little of Jasim's impact.
For the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, this initiative is more than a tribute-it is a statement of intent. By investing in high-calibre, cross-generational programming, the Centre is asserting its role as a guardian of the UAE's cultural DNA. The message is clear: heritage is not a static relic, but a living resource that can be reinterpreted and revitalised for the present. As the book fair approaches, the Centre's approach sets a benchmark for how cultural institutions can move beyond ceremonial gestures and deliver experiences that genuinely resonate. In a region where rapid change often threatens to eclipse tradition, this event demonstrates that meaningful cultural continuity is possible-if institutions are willing to innovate rather than simply commemorate.
