NYU Abu Dhabi is about to become a global stage for poetry lovers. The university has announced it will host the Global Poets Summit, bringing together 40 poets from 25 different countries. The event promises to be a celebration of cross-cultural expression, language, and creativity, with artists sharing their work and connecting through the power of words.
Scheduled to take place at the NYUAD campus on Saadiyat Island, the summit will span multiple days. It will feature poetry readings, workshops, performances, and panel discussions. This is more than just a poetry event – it’s a cultural movement that aims to highlight the shared human experience across borders, languages, and traditions.
A Gathering of Global Voices
This event is one of the first of its kind in the UAE and will include voices from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Many of the attending poets are internationally recognised, award-winning figures in the literary world. Some are performing in the region for the very first time.
The poets will present their work in a wide range of languages, with translations available for the audience. From Arabic and English to Spanish, French, Urdu, and more – the summit will offer a multilingual experience that represents the diversity of modern poetry.
NYU Abu Dhabi sees this summit as part of its larger mission to support art, education, and intercultural understanding. The university’s faculty and students will also participate, helping to bridge academic insights with artistic practice.
Why Poetry? Why Now?
In a world full of fast information and constant digital noise, poetry has a unique way of slowing things down. It offers reflection. It gives meaning. It creates empathy.
That’s why this summit matters.
Many of the participating poets are not only writers but also activists, teachers, and changemakers. Their work often speaks to issues like identity, migration, climate change, mental health, and justice. By coming together in Abu Dhabi, they aim to start conversations that reach beyond the stage.
The event will also explore how poetry is evolving – from traditional forms to modern spoken word and even poetry in digital formats. Audiences can expect a mix of styles and expressions, offering something for everyone, whether you’re a lifelong poetry lover or new to the scene.
Events and Activities
The summit will include a series of public readings, many of which are open to all, whether you’re a student, a resident, or just curious. Attendees can meet the poets, hear their stories, and engage in Q&A sessions after the performances.
In addition to readings, the event will host interactive workshops that allow participants to explore poetry writing, translation, and performance. These workshops will be led by featured poets and open to participants of all levels – from beginners to seasoned writers.
There will also be panel discussions that tackle topics like:
- The role of poetry in today’s world
- How translation shapes global literature
- Poetry as a form of resistance and healing
- The rise of spoken word and performance poetry
These panels are designed not only to educate but to inspire people to see poetry as something dynamic, living, and deeply relevant.
A Cultural Gift to the UAE
Hosting this global summit reflects the UAE’s growing reputation as a cultural hub. In recent years, the country has invested heavily in the arts – from the Louvre Abu Dhabi to the Sharjah Biennial and major book fairs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This poetry summit is a natural next step in placing the UAE on the global cultural map.
NYU Abu Dhabi has long been at the heart of this creative push. Since opening its doors, it has welcomed international thinkers, artists, and students. With this summit, it further positions itself as a meeting point between ideas, people, and cultures.
Organisers hope the summit will become a regular feature, possibly returning every year or two with fresh faces and new voices. If successful, it could become a landmark event for poetry in the region.
What This Means for Abu Dhabi
For the city of Abu Dhabi, the Global Poets Summit is more than just another event – it’s an opportunity. It invites locals and visitors alike to experience something meaningful and global. It gives the younger generation – especially students – a chance to learn directly from some of the world’s most exciting literary voices.
It’s also a chance to explore poetry as a tool for connection – across cultures, across generations, and across language barriers.
For many of the poets, this will be their first time visiting the UAE. For others, it’s a chance to reconnect with a region rich in its own poetic traditions. Arabic poetry, for example, has long been a powerful and deeply respected art form. This summit builds on that heritage while also welcoming new traditions and styles from every corner of the globe.
Final Thoughts
At its core, this summit is about the beauty of expression. It’s about listening to one another. It’s about the words that unite us, even when we come from different worlds.
The Global Poets Summit at NYU Abu Dhabi is a celebration of that spirit – and everyone’s invited to be part of it.
Whether you attend a reading, join a workshop, or just stop by to listen – one thing is certain: you’ll walk away with more than just words. You’ll walk away inspired.
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