The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has launched a significant literary project titled Treasured Sayings, a curated collection of 118 poems written by the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Published in collaboration with Assouline, this anthology provides an intimate look at the leader’s personal values, offering profound insights into his philosophy on unity, humanity, and his deep-rooted connection to the land. With 75 of these works now translated into English, the collection serves as a bridge, allowing an international audience to engage with the themes of tolerance, generosity, and nature that remain central to the Emirati identity.

More than just a book, this initiative functions as a vital cultural archive that preserves the Nabati poetic tradition for future generations. The project is impressively comprehensive, offering not only a print edition but also digital versions, audio recordings, and a specialized glossary of Emirati dialect terms used by the late leader. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, noted that the release is a tribute to Sheikh Zayed’s enduring vision and a step forward in the nation's mission to safeguard its heritage while strengthening the cultural ties between the past and the present. Interested readers can now access this meaningful work directly through the Assouline website.