Sharjah Nabati Poetry Festival celebrates 2 decades of creativity

Batti Salem Al Mazloum, Director of Al Hira Literary Council, affirmed that the twentieth edition of the Sharjah Nabati Poetry Festival was inaugurated and honoured by the presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, reflecting the festival’s cultural stature and its role in preserving Nabati poetry and strengthening its presence in the cultural landscape.

In exclusive statements to “Sharjah 24,” Batti Salem Al Mazloum explained that the twentieth edition of the Sharjah Nabati Poetry Festival represents a national celebration of Nabati poetry as one of the most prominent components of Emirati and Gulf cultural identity. He noted that this edition comes with a special character befitting the festival’s standing and its history spanning two decades of poetic contribution.

Al Mazloum added that the opening ceremony of the twentieth edition witnessed the honouring of two pioneers of Nabati poetry: poet Saeed bin Salem Boulahaj Al Rumaithi and poet Ali bin Jumaa Al Ghannami Al Suwaidi, in appreciation of their poetic journeys and their prominent contributions to enriching the cultural scene.

The Director of Al Hira Literary Council pointed out that the events of the second day include a specialised critical seminar to be held at the Cultural Palace in Sharjah at 10:30 a.m., shedding light on the experience of poet Saeed bin Salem Boulahaj Al Rumaithi. The seminar will be presented by researcher Fahd Al Maamari, alongside a seminar on the literary journey of poet Ali bin Jumaa Al Ghannami, presented by researcher and media professional Ali Al Abdan, and moderated by Dr Salem Zayed Al Tunaiji.

Batti Salem noted that the programme continues with daily poetry evenings over five days at the Cultural Palace, featuring a select group of poets from the UAE, the Gulf, and the wider Arab world. The festival will then move to Al Dhaid Cultural Centre to host a major poetry evening, before concluding its activities in the city of Kalba.

Al Mazloum concluded by emphasising that the closing ceremony in Kalba will witness the distinguished attendance of Sheikh Haitham bin Saqr Al Qasimi and Sheikh Saeed bin Saqr Al Qasimi. He expressed his aspiration to continue presenting poetry and cultural programmes that befit the festival’s audience and contribute to strengthening the position of Nabati poetry within the cultural consciousness.