Abu Dhabi, December – The Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE) organized a cultural trip for students to attend the international Arabic opera Antar and Abla in Abu Dhabi, celebrating World Arabic Language Day by immersing future educators in the artistic and cultural legacy of the Arabic language.
The trip connects educational practice with cultural engagement by integrating Arabic arts, literature, and storytelling into the learning experience. It supports national efforts to strengthen the presence of the Arabic language and enables ECAE’ students as prospective teachers to embed cultural and Arab values within their school communities. It also reinforces lifelong learning beyond the classroom through experiential education, while deepening appreciation for the role of the arts in advancing language learning, expression, and narrative skills.
Dr. May Laith Al Taee, Vice Chancellor of ECAE, said: “We celebrate the Arabic language as the cradle of our Emirati identity and a fundamental pillar of our heritage and culture. As part of our educational mission, we work to empower future educators to serve as ambassadors of this ancient language by connecting academic knowledge with cultural and artistic experiences. Our students’ attendance of the opera Antar and Abla reflects the College’s commitment to elevating the status of the Arabic language, supporting national efforts to promote it globally, and strengthening its presence alongside Arab arts in the education of the future.”
ECAE emphasized that World Arabic Language Day is an important opportunity to reaffirm national pride and highlight the role of educational institutions in preserving and embedding Arabic in society as a language of culture, knowledge, and creativity.
The celebration aligns with the United Nations’ recognition of December 18 as World Arabic Language Day, aimed at raising awareness of the history, evolution, and cultural depth of the language. It also echoes UNESCO’s message, underscoring Arabic as a global language spoken by more than 450 million people and serving as an official language in 25 countries.
The opera, Antar and Abla, won the Mohammed bin Rashid Award for the Arabic Language in 2024 in the Best Cultural or Artistic Work Serving the Arabic Language category. The opera serves as an inspiring model for presenting Arab heritage in a contemporary form.
