Sponsored: Featuring selected poems by the Founding Father, the publication reflects the values and vision that shaped the UAE’s cultural identity
The Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), Abu Dhabi, has launched a new book titled Treasured Sayings, honouring the poetic legacy of the country’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The beautifully curated publication offers a thoughtful addition to any home library, and is essential reading for those drawn to the UAE’s cultural heritage.
The collectible is published through Assouline, known for its exceptionally crafted designer books that often blend art, culture and storytelling in visually striking formats. It offers a rare and intimate glimpse into Sheikh Zayed’s poetic vision of life, unity and humanity, as well as his deep love for his homeland, making it both a cultural keepsake and an illuminating publication.
Among the pages, readers will discover 118 carefully selected poems and 75 thought-provoking pieces translated into English, reflecting the Founding Father’s etiquette and authentic values. Each work has been thoughtfully chosen to highlight the depth and emotional resonance of his poetry, offering readers a closer connection to his words.
The book highlights the values and principles that shaped his vision, exploring themes of leadership, compassion, belonging, tolerance and kindness that continue to echo across Emirati society today. It brings together the poetry of the late Sheikh Zayed in a prized collection, organised by the rhyme scheme of each poem’s opening line and highlighting the enduring relevance of his words.
The collection reflects how poetry and tradition remain deeply woven into the UAE’s cultural and national identity, bridging past, present and future.
The publication forms part of DCT Abu Dhabi’s ongoing commitment to preserving and promoting Emirati culture and heritage. It has been assembled with the support of national partners, including the Founder’s Office at the Presidential Court and the Arabic Language Centre, underscoring a collaborative effort to safeguard the nation’s literary and cultural legacy.
Additionally, there is an electronic version of Treasured Sayings, which includes recorded audio poems and a dictionary of Emirati dialect vocabulary based on the poetry of the late Sheikh Zayed. This digital extension brings the collection to life in new ways, offering a more immersive experience for readers. The initiative helps keep the late Sheikh Zayed’s voice alive for generations to come, while reinforcing a shared responsibility to preserve the UAE’s literary heritage.
Speaking on the launch, His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi stated, “Treasured Sayings is a cultural responsibility as much as it is a publication. Through its carefully curated pages, we honour and safeguard the poetic voice of the late Sheikh Zayed, whose words continue to reflect his vision for unity, his deep connection to the land, and his belief in humanity.”
Al Mubarak added, “This publication reflects DCT Abu Dhabi’s ongoing commitment to preserving our cultural heritage, ensuring it remains a source of inspiration for future generations, both locally and globally. By bringing together his poetry in this way, we aim to strengthen the connection between generations and reaffirm the values of compassion, belonging and shared humanity that formed the foundation of our nation’s progress.”
His hope is for the collection to serve ‘as a tribute to his legacy and as a lasting bridge between our past, present, and future, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role in safeguarding and sharing our cultural heritage with the world.’
Treasured Sayings reflects the UAE’s values of cultural exchange and mutual understanding. It also reinforces Abu Dhabi’s role as a global cultural leader, preserving national heritage while sharing it with audiences worldwide.
Treasured Sayings is available to purchase via Assouline’s official website, assouline.com
Images: Supplied
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