Sharjah Arabic Poetry Festival Next Monday

Under the Patronage of the Ruler of Sharjah:

"Sharjah Arabic Poetry Festival" Next Monday

Al-Owais: The Golden Qawafi Prize Introduces 12 New Names to Arab Readers

Sharjah –

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the 21st edition of the Sharjah Arabic Poetry Festival will start next Monday, the 6th of this month. The festival will run for 7 days with the participation of more than 70 poets, critics, and media figures from Arab countries and several African nations.

His Excellency Abdallah bin Mohammad Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture in Sharjah, said: "The Sharjah Arabic Poetry Festival has strengthened its creative presence over 21 editions and has become an important cultural event in the Arab cultural scene. This importance is based on the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, in supporting Arab poets and encouraging them to produce more original Arabic poetry."

Al Owais added, saying: "This year's edition sees the participation of over 70 creatives from various Arab countries, united in Sharjah by their love for the word. In addition to poetry readings, the festival includes a section for signing poetry collections by a group of creators. Arab readers will also be introduced to 12 new names, winners of the third edition of the Golden Qawafi Prize, who have contributed their poetic works to the Al-Qawafi magazine in 12 issues for the year 2024. The festival will also feature an intellectual seminar titled 'Arabic Poetry: From Stability to Transformation,' where the audience will explore key issues related to Arabic poetry through critical studies and research papers."

Al Owais pointed out that this edition will honor two poets with the Sharjah Prize for Arabic Poetry (13), in recognition of their significant contributions to the Arab literary library through many notable poetic works. These poets are: Talal Al Junaibi (UAE) and Hussein Al Abdallah (Syria).

The Chairman of the Department of Culture also noted the participation of African poets representing Senegal, Mali, Niger, and Chad, emphasizing that hosting poets from African countries reflects the festival’s openness to new poetic horizons and its role in strengthening the Arab poetry gatherings in Africa.