Mohammed Bin Rashid Library Celebrates Literature, Heritage, and Art in September

Dubai, UAE, 1 September 2026: Mohammed Bin Rashid Library (MBRL) is presenting a vibrant September programme bringing together literature, heritage, translation, visual arts and international cultural exchange, with events featuring writers, artists, poets and cultural institutions from the UAE and around the world.

The month opens with the Epistolary Literature Forum, a two-day programme exploring the literary and human value of letter writing through Arab and international correspondence. The forum will bring together writers and critics for readings, discussions, performances and interactive experiences in Arabic, Russian, French and English.

On 4 and 5 September, the Library will host the 2026 K-Book Festival – “Books are the Foundation of Nations”, organised by the Korean Cultural Center in the UAE. The festival will feature authors from Korea and the UAE, alongside panel discussions, workshops, performances, family activities and an exhibition of Korean picture books, creating a platform for literary and cultural exchange between the two countries.

The September programme will also spotlight the UAE’s intellectual and cultural heritage. The session “Fifty Years of Knowledge Leadership” will celebrate the UAE University’s Golden Jubilee and its contribution to higher education, scientific research and the development of national talent, while recognising its inclusion in UNESCO’s 2026 Programme of Commemorations.

The Library will also honour the legacy of Emirati poet Ahmed bin Sulayem Al-Falasi, marking 50 years since his passing and his inclusion in the same UNESCO programme. The session “A Poetic Legacy that Preserves the Nation’s Memory” will explore his contribution to Nabati poetry and the preservation of national memory, followed by “In the Realm of Nabati Poetry”, an evening featuring poet Shaikha Almteiri.

For the first time, MBRL will participate in Comic Con Abu Dhabi 2026, sponsoring the Readers’ Corner and hosting renowned Italian artist and illustrator Giovanni Rigano, who will lead a workshop on developing the visual and narrative structure of graphic novels. The Library will also showcase “Global”, its graphic novel publication created by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, with illustrations by Rigano.

MBRL will further extend its presence across the UAE’s literary calendar through its participation in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, taking place from 13 to 18 September, bringing together publishers, writers and intellectuals while promoting reading, publishing and cultural exchange.

As part of its international cultural exchange programme, the Library will also host a performance by the China National Peking Opera Company, in collaboration with the Chinese Cultural Attaché. Affiliated with China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the company has more than 80 years of history and a repertoire of over 600 artistic works. The performance will introduce audiences to the rich traditions of Peking Opera, one of China’s most distinctive performing arts.

Rounding off the month, MBRL will mark International Translation Day with a programme examining the evolving role of translation in the digital age, including the influence of algorithms and smart technologies and the challenges of preserving meaning and nuance. The programme will also highlight the Library’s experience in translation and showcase its latest publications.

Through its September programme, Mohammed Bin Rashid Library continues to serve as a platform for knowledge, creativity and cultural dialogue, connecting local heritage with global perspectives and creating opportunities for audiences to engage with literature, the arts and ideas from across cultures.