The Moroccan Poets Festival Concludes Its Sixth Edition

The Moroccan Poets Festival Concludes Its Sixth Edition
Participants: Sharjah is Shaping a New Generation of Arab Intellectuals

Tetouan –

The Moroccan Poets Festival closed the curtain on its sixth edition after three days of celebrating words and honoring poetic expression. The festival was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco. It was organized by the Department of Culture in Sharjah in cooperation with the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication.

More than 40 poets, writers, and artists participated in the festival, held in a festive atmosphere celebrating poetry and its creators. The sixth edition also honored 83 students who took part in the poetry writing workshop organized by the House of Poetry in Tetouan in collaboration with the Faculty of Arabic Language at the Higher School of Education in Martil. Additionally, 18 schoolchildren were recognized in the regional Arabic Language Pioneers competition, organized by the House of Poetry in partnership with over 37 secondary and middle schools. The festival attracted a large audience from across various Moroccan cities.

The closing ceremony took place at the School of Arts and National Crafts in Tetouan, in the presence of Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture in Sharjah; Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs; Rachid Al Mostafa, Head of Cooperation at the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication; Dr. Youssef El Fehri, Director of the Higher School of Education in Martil; Mokhles Al Saghir, Director of the House of Poetry in Tetouan; and a large number of intellectuals, writers, and university students.

Mokhles Al Saghir noted that the Moroccan Poets Festival aims for renewal with every edition, aspiring to grow both poetically and in its cultural impact across the Arab world. He highlighted the official and popular presence at the sixth edition, and reaffirmed the House of Poetry in Tetouan’s ongoing efforts—since its establishment in 2016—to organize a distinguished seventh edition next year, marking the tenth anniversary of the House’s founding.

He said:
“Here we are closing a new chapter of the Moroccan Poets Festival, after days filled with pure beauty, where voices resonated with the finest verses, diverse poetic experiences flourished, and Moroccan poetry shone in its most elegant form. We gathered in love for poetry, celebrating Moroccan voices full of life—voices that spoke of homeland, dreams, and humanity. This festival was more than just a literary gathering; it was a cultural celebration that brought generations together and united regions through the free and vibrant word.”

"Poetry and Performance Arts"

On the second day of the festival, a critical symposium titled “Poetry and Performance Arts” was held at the Higher School of Education. The session featured contributions from Abdelaziz Halloui, Khalid Amine, and Youssef Al-Rihani, and was moderated by Houria Al Khamlishi.

The speakers emphasized that when poetry is performed on stage—or combined with movement or music—it transforms into performance art. This gives rise to what is known as “the poetics of performance,” where poetry steps off the page to become embodied through gesture, voice, gaze, and silence. At that moment, literature intersects with the live arts, offering the audience a multisensory artistic experience.

"An Arab Cultural Generation"

Participants in the Moroccan Poets Festival unanimously agreed that Sharjah has become a pioneering model in supporting Arab culture and actively contributes to shaping a new generation of Arab intellectuals. They affirmed that Sharjah’s cultural, intellectual, and knowledge-based achievements over the past decades are not a matter of coincidence, but rather the result of a far-reaching cultural vision led by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who believes that culture is the cornerstone for building both individuals and societies.

Participants emphasized that Sharjah's experience stands as an exemplary model—one that goes beyond merely supporting cultural production. It has worked diligently to create a comprehensive intellectual environment that attracts younger generations and instills in them a love for reading, critical thinking, and creativity. Many young Arabs who were influenced by Sharjah's cultural initiatives are now among the prominent voices in literature, thought, and the arts.