An immersive and participatory Tarab evening exclusively for women, celebrating Emirati Women’s Day 2026 at the Cultural Foundation
Featuring Lamia Riahi — Tunisian Artist and Pioneer of Tarab — and Chorale El Arab
This Emirati Women’s Day, a new kind of cultural gathering makes its debut. On 28 August 2026, RIAHIYAT, a cultural initiative by Highways Arabia, will present its first Abu Dhabi edition at the Cultural Foundation within the historic Qasr Al Hosn Site — a landmark occasion bringing women exclusively together to celebrate through the timeless art of Arab Tarab.
RIAHIYAT is more than a concert. It is an immersive, participatory musical experience — created by women, for women — where music, artistic expression and shared memory come together in an atmosphere of joy, connection and freedom. The concept was born from a simple aspiration: to create an elegant and inspiring space where women can celebrate together, and where the audience is never a passive spectator but an integral, vocal part of the live performance.
The idea for RIAHIYAT was initiated by Sanaa Azzi, Co-Founder and General Manager of Highways Arabia, driven by her desire to present and produce a different, participatory space bringing women together around Arab music and Tarab. From the outset, the idea received the support of her partner, Caline Nassif, Co-Founder of Highways Arabia, allowing it to evolve into a cultural initiative embraced and produced by the company from Abu Dhabi. For both, the initiative also carries a dimension of appreciation for the UAE and Abu Dhabi, and for the space the country has provided them over years of living and working here to build, produce and develop creative, media and cultural projects.
—
A Deliberate Date, a National Celebration
Holding RIAHIYAT’s inaugural Abu Dhabi edition on 28 August was a conscious choice to align with the national agenda. The date coincides with Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak’s announcement that Emirati Women’s Day 2026 will be marked by a month-long nationwide programme (28 August – 28 September), under the spirit of “Together, We Rise Stronger & Better.”
RIAHIYAT is proud to contribute to this national celebration, in tribute to the remarkable achievements of Emirati women across every field.
—
An Iconic Cultural Landmark
Just as intentional as the date was the choice of venue. Rather than a purely commercial setting, RIAHIYAT was drawn to the Cultural Foundation at the historic Qasr Al Hosn Site — a space that embodies the living dialogue between heritage, culture and contemporary artistic expression. The Cultural Foundation’s leadership embraced the initiative from the very first conversation, offering wholehearted support and collaboration.
—
Artistic Participation: Lamia Riahi
The evening will be led by acclaimed Tunisian artist Lamia Riahi, founder of the first ladies’ singing club in the Arab world. Her immersive, interactive concept has brought together thousands of women through participatory Tarab evenings across the region — transforming each audience into
a chorus, and each performance into a shared, collective experience.
—
Rooted in Abu Dhabi’s Creative Ecosystem
As an Abu Dhabi-based creative production, RIAHIYAT is committed to reflecting and celebrating the UAE’s own cultural ecosystem. The evening brings together a selection of artists and musicians based in Abu Dhabi, with Lamia Riahi joined for this special night by the talented ladies of Chorale El Arab from Arab Choir Abu Dhabi. This participation creates a bridge between regional Arabic musical mastery and Abu Dhabi’s local music scene — all under the distinguished musical direction of Dr. Ahmed Abdel Sattar.
Celebrating the Women Shaping the UAE’s Culture In coordination with DCT Abu Dhabi, the evening will dedicate special tribute moments to distinguished Emirati women across the arts. The programme will also spotlight trailblazing Emirati women in literature, painting, photography, filmmaking, sculpture and the performing arts — honouring the breadth of women’s creative leadership in the nation’s cultural life.
—
About RIAHIYAT
RIAHIYAT is an Abu Dhabi-based cultural initiative, produced by Highways Arabia, offering immersive, participatory musical experiences created by women, for women. Rooted in the timeless repertoire of Arab Tarab, it creates spaces of joy, connection and shared celebration — where audiences become part of the music itself.
TunisianMonitorNews
