The Eleventh Edition of the Nouakchott Arabic Poetry Festival Shines

Amid High-Level Official Attendance and Broad Cultural Reception

The Eleventh Edition of the Nouakchott Arabic Poetry Festival Shines

Four Mauritanian Literary Figures Honored

Al Owais: The Nouakchott Poetry House Is a Leading Platform for Discovering and Nurturing Young Poetic Talent in Mauritania

Ould Medou: Sharjah’s Cultural Initiatives Have Restored Prestige to Arabic Poetry

Nouakchott —

Under the patronage of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania celebrated the launch of the eleventh edition of the Nouakchott Arabic Poetry Festival, organized by the Sharjah Department of Culture over three days, with wide participation from Mauritanian poets, intellectuals, and writers, as well as African poets representing Senegal, Mali, and Gambia. 

Amid official Mauritanian hospitality and a broad cultural reception, the festival’s opening ceremony was held at the Conference Palace in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott, in the presence of Abdallah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture; H.E. Al-Hussein Ould Medou, Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament in Mauritania; Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs at the Department; H.E. Hamad Ghanim Al Muhairi, UAE Ambassador to Mauritania; alongside representatives of local cultural institutions, academics, and poetry enthusiasts.

The ceremony began with a recorded documentary presentation that took the audience on a journey through the milestones of 2025, showcasing a selection of activities organized by the Poetry House, including poetry evenings, literary seminars, forums, cultural dialogues, and new publications released throughout the year.

In his speech, Abdallah Al Owais celebrated the festival’s entry into its second decade, stating:
“We are pleased to gather today at this distinguished cultural forum as we celebrate the Nouakchott Arabic Poetry Festival entering its second decade, following ten years filled with generosity, poetry, and creativity. The festival has established itself as an authentic platform for the Arabic word and a recurring occasion to celebrate the beauty of the poem and its human dimension.”

Regarding the role of the Poetry House in Nouakchott, he added:
“Over the past decade, the Nouakchott Poetry House has served as a leading platform for discovering and nurturing young poetic talents in Mauritania, opening horizons for creative voices from neighboring African countries. It embodies poetry’s message as a bridge for civilizational dialogue and human connection. The Poetry House has also dedicated its efforts to honoring pioneering poets in recognition of their contributions to consolidating the stature of the Arabic poem, balancing loyalty to founding generations with openness to renewal.”

Al Owais expressed his appreciation to Mauritania’s Ministry of Culture, noting that this cultural cooperation reflects the depth of fraternal relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania under the wise leadership of both nations.

He also conveyed the greetings of the Ruler of Sharjah to the festival participants and his wishes for their continued success.