"Sharjah for Nabati Poetry" Next Monday

"Sharjah for Nabati Poetry" Next Monday Under the Patronage of the Ruler of Sharjah

Al-Owais: The Patronage of the Ruler of Sharjah Has Cemented the Presence of Nabati Poetry and Strengthened the Festival's Role

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the 19th edition of the Sharjah Nabati Poetry Festival will start next Monday. The festival, organized by the Sharjah Department of Culture, will run for 8 days, from the 3rd to the 10th of next month, with the participation of more than 60 poets, critics, and media professionals from across the Arab world. 

His Excellency Abdalla bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture, stated: "The Sharjah Nabati Poetry Festival has, through its successive editions, become a prominent poetic event, solidifying the presence of Nabati poetry based on its authentic origins. This remarkable presence of the festival and the care given to Nabati poetry is based on the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, highlighting the importance of Nabati poetry and the prominent role it plays on the cultural, human, and social levels.” 

Al Owais pointed out that this attention is evident in how the festival has become an important platform for poets from all over the Arab world. He also emphasized that His Highness’s initiative to launch Al-Heera Magazine from Sharjah, which is dedicated to Nabati poetry and provides a wide space for poets to publish their poems and topics related to Nabati poetry, represents a new creative space for more poetic contributions. It also strengthens the authenticity of poetry and its prominent role in societies. 

He added: "The Sharjah Nabati Poetry Festival has a large audience that follows the poetry evenings, where a group of creative poets with diverse poetic styles perform, reflecting the rich poetic culture that has developed over the years of the festival. This, once again, highlights the importance of Nabati poetry—poetry of place and time—rooted in authentic words, with its own rhythm, meter, metaphors, music, and images that document history."

Al Owais also emphasized that the Sharjah Nabati Poetry Festival has always honored the pioneers of Nabati poetry, particularly Emirati poets. He noted that honoring poets is an important aspect of their artistic journey, serving as an encouragement for other Nabati poetry creators. He mentioned that the current edition of the festival will honor poets Za’al bin Obaid bin Sarhan Al Ghafli and Awad bin Rashid Al Sab Al Ketbi. 

Regarding the details of the festival, the Chairman of the Department of Culture stated: "The 19th edition will feature a variety of events that stand out for their diversity and excellence. There will be 9 poetry evenings, including a session dedicated to female poets from the Arab world, as well as a seminar discussing the literary careers of the two honored poets. Additionally, the festival will take place in Al Dhaid and Khor Fakkan, showcasing the cultural, heritage, and historical character of these cities.”