The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, TCA Abu Dhabi, honoured the life and works of the Emirati poet, writer and researcher, Ahmed Rashid Thani in a series of seminars, workshops and forums to celebrate his literary legacy on Monday. Hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Theatre’s Cultural Centre, the seminar welcomed writers and intellectuals from across the emirate, as well as friends and family of the late poet.

Led by TCA Abu Dhabi, the forum featured a key announcement to form a dedicated committee spearheading efforts to revive the literary legacy of the late Ahmed Rashid Thani through collecting and documenting his literary works, celebrating the launch of a series of artistic and cultural initiatives focused on reviving the literary legacy of the poet in the public sphere.

Considered one of the most prominent poets and theatre playwrights in the history of the UAE, Ahmed Rashid Thani passed away in 2012, leaving behind a treasure trove of literary creations, poetic masterpieces and theatrical compositions.

Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director-General of TCA Abu Dhabi, said, "Culture is the shield that ensures we maintain our identity and promote our heritage. We are proud to launch this series of initiatives that celebrate the legacy of the great poet and writer Ahmed Rashid Thani by reviving his works that excelled across all areas of artistic and literary aspects.

"As his works continue to shape the collective history of our society, we hope to ensure the sustainability of the community through such initiatives, and its intellectual and cultural growth towards the vision of our founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Our ancestral heritage, folklore and prose will remain a vital asset of this country for generations to come," Mr. Ghobash added.

In addition to launching Ahmed Rashid Thani’s unpublished works, the five initiatives aim to highlight the creative achievements of the late poet that continue to inspire emerging writers and poets while building awareness around the importance of preserving and reviving the UAE’s cultural heritage. The initiatives include a display of the poet's works in a dedicated wing at the 2017 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, and a theatre production in collaboration with Sharjah Theatre Days.