Abu dhabi: The seventh edition of the Moroccan Poets Festival commenced in Tetouan, Morocco, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco. The festival, organized by the Sharjah Department of Culture in collaboration with the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, spans three days and involves the participation of over 50 Moroccan poets, intellectuals, artists, and critics.
According to Emirates News Agency, the opening ceremony was held at Teatro Espa±ol in central Tetouan. The event was attended by Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qasir, Director of Cultural Affairs at the Sharjah Department of Culture; Zahour Amhaouch, Regional Director of Culture, representing Mohammed El Mahdi Bensaid, Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication; and Abdelrazak El Mansouri, Governor of Tetouan Province. Various writers, intellectuals, university students, and poetry enthusiasts were also present.
The festival began with a documentary screening titled 'Ten Unforgettable Years', which showcased the cultural and literary contributions of the House of Poetry in Tetouan since its inception. Poet Mukhlis Al-Saghir highlighted the initiative's impact, emphasizing the influential role of the Houses of Poetry, supported by the Ruler of Sharjah, in the Arab world's cultural landscape. He noted the festival's history of hosting hundreds of poets, underscoring its role in promoting Moroccan poetic voices.
Al Qasir remarked on the festival's reflection of the cultural and historical bonds between the UAE and Morocco, highlighting culture's role in fostering dialogue. He stated that poetry houses in the Arab world serve as hubs for nurturing talent, facilitating creative exchange, and preserving Arabic poetry's place in contemporary culture. He praised the House of Poetry in Tetouan for its successful literary and cultural programs, contributing to a vibrant cultural scene.
Amhaouch, representing the Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, described the festival as a leading poetry event in Morocco, marking a decade of cooperation between Moroccan cultural institutions and the Sharjah Department of Culture. She emphasized the annual gathering's role as an established platform for Moroccan poets from diverse backgrounds and generations.
During the ceremony, the House of Poetry in Tetouan honored poet Allal El Hajjam and academic Fatima Tahtah for their contributions to cultural life. Poetry readings by three Moroccan poets focused on themes of identity, human experience, and social issues. Additionally, the House of Poetry announced the winners of the First Collection Award for Young Poets, aimed at supporting emerging literary talents, with plans to publish the winning collections. Winners of the 'Regional Competition for Pioneers of the Arabic Language' were also recognized, promoting Arabic language skills and creative writing among youth.