SHARJAH: The 21st Sharjah Arabic Poetry Festival is set to commence on Monday, running from January 6th to 12th, and will feature more than 70 poets, literary critics, and media figures from the Arab world and several African nations. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the festival aims to enrich the Arab literary scene while fostering cultural connections through poetry.
According to Emirates News Agency, Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture in Sharjah, stated that the festival has become a significant cultural event over its 21 editions, supporting Arab poets and promoting authentic Arabic poetry. Beyond poetry readings, the festival will include book signings from various poets and unveil 12 new names recognized for their contributions to the “Golden Qawafi Award” in its third edition. These poets have been regular contributors to “Qawafi” magazine over its 12 editions for 2024.
The festival will also host an intellectual symposium titled “Arabic Poetry: From Stability to Transformation,” which will delve into critical issues and developments in Arabic poetry. Additionally, two poets will be honored with the 13th Sharjah Award for Arabic Poetry for their contributions to Arabic literature: Emirati poet Talal Al Junaibi and Syrian poet Hussein Al Abdullah. The festival will feature poets from African countries such as Senegal, Mali, Niger, and Chad, emphasizing the event’s openness to diverse poetic landscapes and its role in bridging Arabic and African literary traditions.
Opening at the Sharjah Cultural Palace, the festival will begin with a documentary titled “A Decade of Giving: The Houses of Poetry,” followed by readings from Talal Al Junaibi, Hussein Al Abdullah, and Talal Al Salti from Oman. The event will also celebrate the winners of the 4th Sharjah Award for Arabic Poetry Criticism, including Fathi Ben Belkacem Nasri from Tunisia, Dr. Ahmed Jarallah Yassin from Iraq, and Ibrahim Al Karawi from Morocco. The winners of the 3rd Golden Qawafi Award will be honored at the Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Centre.
