emirates7 - Under the esteemed patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the city of Carthage in Tunisia’s capital, Tunis, recently hosted the ninth edition of the Kairouan Festival for Arabic Poetry.
Organized by the Department of Culture in Sharjah in collaboration with Tunisia’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the three-day event brought together a vibrant assembly of Tunisian poets, intellectuals, and critics, alongside artists from Libya and Algeria.
The opening ceremony was held at the House of Wisdom in Carthage, with prominent attendees including Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture in Sharjah, and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs. Also present were Dr. Khaled Kashir, Director-General of the National Library and representative of the Tunisian Minister of Cultural Affairs, Amina Srarfi, and Hala Al Wartani, Director of the House of Wisdom, along with numerous writers, academics, and poetry enthusiasts. The event received widespread coverage from local and Arab media outlets.
The ceremony began with the unveiling of an exhibition featuring various publications from the Department of Culture in Sharjah and the House of Poetry in Kairouan. Highlights included editions of Sharjah Cultural Magazine, Al Rafid Magazine, Al Qawafi Magazine, Al Masrah Magazine, and poetry collections by Tunisian poets.
Mohammed Al Qaseer inaugurated the festival with a speech, stating, “Kairouan unites us today through the power of poetic expression. This gathering symbolizes Sharjah’s enduring cultural initiatives and reflects the strong relationship between the UAE and Tunisia.” He also congratulated the House of Poetry on its tenth anniversary and expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs for its collaboration in ensuring the success of poetry festivals and activities in Kairouan.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Khaled Al-Kasher highlighted the enduring significance of poetry in Arab culture, likening it to the historic Mu’allaqat and the ‘Ukaziyat gatherings. He expressed appreciation for the continued support of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi in preserving this cultural tradition and emphasized the importance of the festival in fostering poetic creativity, cultural exchange, and emotional expression.
Jamila Al Majri, Director of the House of Poetry in Kairouan, expressed heartfelt thanks to H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi, whom she referred to as “the founder of poetry houses in the Arab world.” She highlighted the House’s achievements, noting that over 1,000 poets had participated in its programs. The House also publishes booklets featuring the debut works of Poetry Club members, offers prosody instruction, and prints poetry collections in collaboration with the Department of Culture.
As part of its tradition, the festival included poetry readings showcasing talent from across the Arab world. Attendees also viewed a video chronicling the House of Poetry’s activities in 2024, which featured seminars, discussions, and artistic performances. The presentation offered a glimpse into the House’s vibrant daily operations, both within and beyond its walls, demonstrating its vital role in enriching the cultural landscape.
Organized by the Department of Culture in Sharjah in collaboration with Tunisia’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the three-day event brought together a vibrant assembly of Tunisian poets, intellectuals, and critics, alongside artists from Libya and Algeria.
The opening ceremony was held at the House of Wisdom in Carthage, with prominent attendees including Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture in Sharjah, and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs. Also present were Dr. Khaled Kashir, Director-General of the National Library and representative of the Tunisian Minister of Cultural Affairs, Amina Srarfi, and Hala Al Wartani, Director of the House of Wisdom, along with numerous writers, academics, and poetry enthusiasts. The event received widespread coverage from local and Arab media outlets.
The ceremony began with the unveiling of an exhibition featuring various publications from the Department of Culture in Sharjah and the House of Poetry in Kairouan. Highlights included editions of Sharjah Cultural Magazine, Al Rafid Magazine, Al Qawafi Magazine, Al Masrah Magazine, and poetry collections by Tunisian poets.
Mohammed Al Qaseer inaugurated the festival with a speech, stating, “Kairouan unites us today through the power of poetic expression. This gathering symbolizes Sharjah’s enduring cultural initiatives and reflects the strong relationship between the UAE and Tunisia.” He also congratulated the House of Poetry on its tenth anniversary and expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs for its collaboration in ensuring the success of poetry festivals and activities in Kairouan.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Khaled Al-Kasher highlighted the enduring significance of poetry in Arab culture, likening it to the historic Mu’allaqat and the ‘Ukaziyat gatherings. He expressed appreciation for the continued support of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi in preserving this cultural tradition and emphasized the importance of the festival in fostering poetic creativity, cultural exchange, and emotional expression.
Jamila Al Majri, Director of the House of Poetry in Kairouan, expressed heartfelt thanks to H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi, whom she referred to as “the founder of poetry houses in the Arab world.” She highlighted the House’s achievements, noting that over 1,000 poets had participated in its programs. The House also publishes booklets featuring the debut works of Poetry Club members, offers prosody instruction, and prints poetry collections in collaboration with the Department of Culture.
As part of its tradition, the festival included poetry readings showcasing talent from across the Arab world. Attendees also viewed a video chronicling the House of Poetry’s activities in 2024, which featured seminars, discussions, and artistic performances. The presentation offered a glimpse into the House’s vibrant daily operations, both within and beyond its walls, demonstrating its vital role in enriching the cultural landscape.