emirates7 - The sixth edition of the Moroccan Poets Festival wrapped up after three vibrant days dedicated to literary excellence and the celebration of poetry.
The closing ceremony took place at the National School of Crafts and Arts in Tetouan, attended by prominent cultural figures including Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture; Professor Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs at the department; Rachid Al Mustafa from the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication; Dr. Youssef Al Fahri, President of the Higher School of Teachers in Martil; and Mukhlis Al Sagheer, Director of the House of Poetry in Tetouan. A large gathering of writers, intellectuals, and university students also marked the event.
Mukhlis Al Sagheer highlighted the festival’s continuous efforts to innovate and expand its poetic and cultural influence across the Arab world. He noted that this year's edition stood out for its strong official participation and the enthusiastic public turnout. Al Sagheer also reaffirmed the House of Poetry’s commitment to preparing an outstanding seventh edition next year, which will coincide with the institution's tenth anniversary. Established in 2016, the House has played a key role in fostering the literary scene in Tetouan and beyond.
Festival participants collectively acknowledged the pioneering cultural role of Sharjah, praising its consistent support for Arab cultural initiatives. They attributed Sharjah's success to the far-reaching vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who views culture as a foundation for both individual and societal advancement.
Sharjah's model, they said, goes beyond supporting literary creation—it has built a comprehensive intellectual environment that nurtures a love for reading, critical thinking, and creativity. Many young Arab talents, they pointed out, have emerged from this environment to become influential voices in literature, thought, and the arts.
A highlight of the festival's second day was a critical symposium titled "Poetry and the Performing Arts." Scholars and artists explored how poetry evolves into performance when fused with elements such as voice, music, movement, and silence. This transformation, referred to as the "poetics of performance," allows poetry to transcend the written page and be experienced as a live, multi-sensory form of art. The speakers described it as a dynamic intersection of language and physical expression, where the poem becomes a living, visual, and emotional experience.
An especially moving feature of the festival was a session at the Taha Hussein Institute, where visually impaired poets shared their work. This poetic encounter offered a deeply human dimension to the festival, celebrating resilience and creativity as these poets expressed rich inner worlds inspired by life’s intricate details.
In total, the festival welcomed over 40 poets, writers, and artists, all contributing to a jubilant atmosphere centered on the power of poetry. The House of Poetry, in collaboration with the Faculty of Arabic Language at the Higher Teachers' School in Martil, honored 83 students who had participated in a poetry writing workshop. Additionally, 18 students were recognized for their achievements in the regional Arabic Language Pioneers competition, which involved more than 37 middle and high schools.
The closing ceremony took place at the National School of Crafts and Arts in Tetouan, attended by prominent cultural figures including Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture; Professor Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs at the department; Rachid Al Mustafa from the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication; Dr. Youssef Al Fahri, President of the Higher School of Teachers in Martil; and Mukhlis Al Sagheer, Director of the House of Poetry in Tetouan. A large gathering of writers, intellectuals, and university students also marked the event.
Mukhlis Al Sagheer highlighted the festival’s continuous efforts to innovate and expand its poetic and cultural influence across the Arab world. He noted that this year's edition stood out for its strong official participation and the enthusiastic public turnout. Al Sagheer also reaffirmed the House of Poetry’s commitment to preparing an outstanding seventh edition next year, which will coincide with the institution's tenth anniversary. Established in 2016, the House has played a key role in fostering the literary scene in Tetouan and beyond.
Festival participants collectively acknowledged the pioneering cultural role of Sharjah, praising its consistent support for Arab cultural initiatives. They attributed Sharjah's success to the far-reaching vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who views culture as a foundation for both individual and societal advancement.
Sharjah's model, they said, goes beyond supporting literary creation—it has built a comprehensive intellectual environment that nurtures a love for reading, critical thinking, and creativity. Many young Arab talents, they pointed out, have emerged from this environment to become influential voices in literature, thought, and the arts.
A highlight of the festival's second day was a critical symposium titled "Poetry and the Performing Arts." Scholars and artists explored how poetry evolves into performance when fused with elements such as voice, music, movement, and silence. This transformation, referred to as the "poetics of performance," allows poetry to transcend the written page and be experienced as a live, multi-sensory form of art. The speakers described it as a dynamic intersection of language and physical expression, where the poem becomes a living, visual, and emotional experience.
An especially moving feature of the festival was a session at the Taha Hussein Institute, where visually impaired poets shared their work. This poetic encounter offered a deeply human dimension to the festival, celebrating resilience and creativity as these poets expressed rich inner worlds inspired by life’s intricate details.
In total, the festival welcomed over 40 poets, writers, and artists, all contributing to a jubilant atmosphere centered on the power of poetry. The House of Poetry, in collaboration with the Faculty of Arabic Language at the Higher Teachers' School in Martil, honored 83 students who had participated in a poetry writing workshop. Additionally, 18 students were recognized for their achievements in the regional Arabic Language Pioneers competition, which involved more than 37 middle and high schools.