Coordinators of Poetry Forums in Africa Speak in a Press Report: Sharjah... A Cultural Bridge Between Africa and the Arab World

Coordinators of Poetry Forums in Africa Speak in a Press Report:

Sharjah... A Cultural Bridge Between Africa and the Arab World

Poetry forum coordinators across Africa affirmed that Sharjah’s continuous support for literary activities on the continent has contributed to a qualitative leap in the African cultural scene. Through pioneering cultural projects, the Arabic language and Arabic poetry have regained a strong presence in public life and opened new horizons for cultural exchange between African creatives and the Arab world. They unanimously agreed that Sharjah has become the “Diwan of the Arabs” in preserving Arab cultural heritage and supporting its historical foundations.

At a time when Arabic poetry faces isolation in some African countries, Sharjah’s initiatives—with a forward-looking cultural vision—have restored Arabic literature as a vessel of identity, a tool for dialogue, and a platform for human expression.

The coordinators noted that this vision, embodied in the Arabic Poetry Forums in Africa established under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has inaugurated a new cultural phase across the continent. These forums have offered hundreds of poets opportunities for visibility, documentation, and publication under integrated projects supervised by Sharjah’s Department of Culture in collaboration with local cultural institutions in each country.

Coordinators from nine African countries—Mali, Chad, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire—spoke about the latest preparations for the fourth edition, which begins this month, discussing the number of poets and accompanying cultural events.

"Reviving the Language"

Dr. Abdelkader Idriss Mega, coordinator of the Arabic Poetry Forum in Mali, stated that Sharjah’s initiative to support Arabic poetry in Africa is one of the pioneering efforts reflecting the civilizational vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in supporting Arab culture wherever it exists. He emphasized that this project is not just a poetry event but a genuine platform for reviving the Arabic language in historically Arabic-speaking environments. It also enhances poetry’s status as a cultural pillar.

He added:
“Sharjah’s support for Arabic poetry in Africa is a living example of Arab-African cultural integration. It gives African poets the platform they deserve, honors their creativity, and hosts them in a professional and appreciative environment. The results are clear: renewed poetic movement, a refined interactive space that blends authenticity with openness, cultivates talents, and revitalizes the local cultural scene after years of isolation.”

About the fourth edition, Mega stated:
“The forum in Mali has significantly evolved in terms of organization, content, and participation. The number of poets has doubled, including a diverse group of both emerging and experienced voices from across the country. This edition features 15 to 20 poets from Bamako and other regions. The growing public attendance, including dignitaries, intellectuals, academics, university students, and media figures, gives the forum a formal, cultural, and academic dimension.”

He added that the accompanying events include poetry readings, critical seminars, workshops on Arabic poetic writing techniques, and interactive sessions between poets and audiences, enhancing cultural exchange and poetic appreciation.