His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Sharjah ruler, inaugurated the 21st Sharjah Arabic Poetry Festival on Monday evening. Scheduled from January 6 to 12, the festival brings together over 70 poets, critics, and media professionals from across the Arab world. The event began at the Sharjah Cultural Palace.
To begin with, the opening ceremony featured a video presentation titled “Ten Years of Giving: The Houses of Poetry.” This video showcased the achievements and diverse publications of Arabic Houses of Poetry. Moreover, attendees enjoyed poetry readings by Emirati poet Talal Al-Junaibi, Syrian poet Hussein Al Abdullah, and Omani poet Talal Al Salti. These performances marked the start of a week-long celebration of Arabic poetry and culture.
Sharjah ruler Honours Winners of Arabic Poetry Awards
Furthermore, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi honored the recipients of the 13th Sharjah Arabic Poetry Award. This accolade celebrates poets who have significantly enriched Arabic literary heritage. Emirati poet Talal Al-Junaibi and Syrian poet Hussein Al-Abdullah were recognized for their exceptional contributions.
Additionally, the winners of the 4th Sharjah Award for Arabic Poetry Criticism were also celebrated. Fathi Ben Bel Qasem Nasri from Tunisia secured first place for his research on Autobiographies in Contemporary Arabic Poetry. Second place went to Dr. Ahmed Jarallah Yassin from Iraq for his study on The Interplay of Literary Genres in Contemporary Arabic Poetry. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Al-Krawi of Morocco earned third place for his work, The Poetics of Cross-Genre Texts: From Foundational Concerns to Boundary Questions.
Highlights of the Festival
Throughout the week, the festival will feature poetry readings and a dedicated area for signing poetry collections by accomplished artists. Notably, the event will introduce Arab readers to 12 new poets. These are the winners of the 3rd Golden Qawafi Award. Their works were published in Qawafi Magazine during its 2024 issues.
In addition, an intellectual seminar titled “Arabic Poetry: From Stability to Transformation” will provide valuable insights. This seminar will focus on the evolution of Arabic poetry through research papers and critical discussions.
This year’s festival also celebrates the contributions of African poets from Senegal, Mali, Niger, and Chad. This aligns with its mission to explore innovative poetic expressions and strengthen connections with Arabic poetry communities in Africa.
Closing Ceremony and Notable Attendees
On the second day, the festival will recognize the Golden Qawafi Award winners. This will be followed by poetry evenings and intellectual discussions. Ultimately, the event will conclude with a poetry evening at the Sharjah Cultural Palace, featuring renowned Arab poets.
Prominent attendees at the opening ceremony included Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ruler’s Office. Also present were Rashid Ahmed bin Al Sheikh, Chairman of Al Diwan Al Amiri, and Abdullah Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture. Furthermore, Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, and Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, attended. Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Head of the Protocol and Hospitality Department, joined alongside senior officials and poets.
