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Amid official Mauritanian hospitality and a broad cultural reception, the festival’s opening ceremony was held at the Conference Palace in the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott. The event was attended by His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture; His Excellency El Houssein Ould Medou, Mauritania’s Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament; Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs at the Department; His Excellency Hamad Ghanem Al Muhairi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Mauritania; alongside local cultural institutions, academics and poetry enthusiasts.
The opening proceedings began with a recorded documentary screening, taking attendees on a journey through the milestones of 2025, highlighting a range of events and activities hosted by the House of Poetry, including poetry evenings, literary seminars, forums and cultural dialogues, as well as new publications released throughout the year.
Abdullah Al Owais delivered a speech in which he opened by celebrating the festival’s entry into its second decade, saying: “We are delighted to gather today at this distinguished cultural forum as we celebrate the Nouakchott Festival of Arabic Poetry entering its second decade, following ten years rich in giving and brimming with poetry and creativity. These years have contributed to establishing the festival as an authentic platform for the Arabic word, and a recurring occasion that renews the celebration of the beauty of poetry and its human dimension.”
He added, speaking about the role of the Nouakchott House of Poetry: “Over the past decade, the Nouakchott House of Poetry has formed a pioneering platform for discovering and nurturing young poetic talents in Mauritania, while opening horizons for creative voices from neighbouring African countries. This has created a cultural scene that embodies poetry’s message as a bridge for civilisational dialogue and human connection. The House of Poetry has also dedicated its efforts to honouring pioneering poets, in recognition of their contributions and in appreciation of their rich legacy, which has helped to consolidate the standing of Arabic poetry. This reflects a striking creative and civilisational convergence, bringing together loyalty to founding generations with openness to the horizons of renewal.”
Al Owais expressed his gratitude to the Mauritanian Ministry of Culture, saying: “On this occasion, we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament for its fruitful cooperation in delivering joint cultural activities. This cooperation reflects the depth of fraternal relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania under the wise leadership of both countries.”
The Chairman of the Department of Culture conveyed the greetings of the Ruler of Sharjah to the festival participants, saying: “It is my honour on this occasion to convey to you the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and his wishes for your success and continued achievement.”
For his part, His Excellency El Houssein Ould Medou welcomed attendees at the beginning of his speech, saying: “I welcome you all to this radiant moment and in this majestic setting, where Nouakchott celebrates the Arabic word and the letter that weaves meaning, beauty and emotion into a living tableau of creativity, in the eleventh edition of the Nouakchott Festival of Arabic Poetry.”
He said: “From the very beginning, Nouakchott was destined to be a nurturing space for poetry and a platform for distinguished Arab voices from different generations and backgrounds. In this edition, the city once again adorns itself with the fragrance of poetry, celebrating the contributions of our generations in preservation, creativity and the continuation of the journey of language and eloquence. Here, the past is revived in all its brilliance and meets a luminous present, in a context that makes every poem a cultural event celebrating identity, language and creativity.”
The Mauritanian Minister of Culture also spoke about the Nouakchott House of Poetry, saying: “The Nouakchott House of Poetry, established through the blessed initiative of the Emirate of Sharjah, is nothing but a natural extension of this journey. It serves as a platform for cultural exchange among Arab poets, a space for celebrating young talents, restoring the standing of Arabic poetry, and creating a renewed arena for literary dialogue. This cultural cooperation between Mauritania and Sharjah translates a shared vision that views poetry not merely as an art form, but as the memory of the nation, its identity, and a bridge for communication between Arab civilisations and with others.”
He continued: “We express our deep appreciation for the great efforts exerted by the Emirate of Sharjah and the House of Poetry, as well as by those responsible for the cultural sector in Mauritania, and by everyone who has contributed to the success of this festival over its past editions.”
He pointed out that the festival, in its eleventh edition, affirms that poetry is alive, that the Arabic word is capable of renewal, that young people are able to carry the torch of creativity without relinquishing their roots, and that women poets are an integral part of the poetic scene, contributing with their thought and voice to enriching cultural life.
He said: “Today, we pledge to remain faithful to the word, to honour and encourage creators, and to make the Nouakchott Festival of Arabic Poetry a continuous platform for excellence and creativity, a beacon for the Arabic language, and a bridge linking the past, present and future.”
In turn, the Director of the Nouakchott House of Poetry, Dr Abdullah Al Sayed, delivered a speech in which he said: “Ten years of continuous activity and radiant giving have passed, achieved together by the grace and guidance of God, and through the convergence of several factors. The awareness of our administrative and political authorities of the importance of the Houses of Poetry initiative enabled its establishment and continuity. The attachment of the people of this corner of the Arab world to poetry—the cradle of the language of the Quran—and their love for it ensured the support and encouragement of the cultural and intellectual public. Thus, the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, found fertile ground that embraced it with enthusiasm and diligent work since the inauguration of the Nouakchott House of Poetry as the second house opened under this initiative.”
He added: “The wise directives of His Highness, embodied by the Sharjah Department of Culture under the leadership of His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais and its various teams—especially the Director of Cultural Affairs, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer—have enabled the Houses of Poetry to fulfil their civilisational mission as cultural beacons. Their foundation lies in supporting poetry and poets, strengthening the status of the language of the Qur’an, and striving to build a generation attached to its heritage, faith and values, open to knowledge and learning, seeking to build the land and carry the trust of the heavens.”
He said: “Allow me here to express our appreciation for the efforts of the Sharjah delegation, which undertakes the hardship of travel once and twice each year to us, carrying the benevolence, greetings and guidance of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah.”
Regarding the festival, Dr Abdullah Al Sayed said: “This edition of the Nouakchott Festival of Arabic Poetry comes as a continuation of the House of Poetry’s diligent approach of openness to diverse creative voices within the poetic sphere, forming a tableau of beauty whose title is love and whose message is fraternity and patriotism. As in previous editions, it hosts poets from Mali, Senegal and The Gambia, who have come from their friendly and sisterly countries carrying poems of affection and flowers of peace, so that Nouakchott may be a welcoming haven for their spirits and a platform for their creativity. Welcome to them among their peers and brothers.”
He continued: “Over the past years, the Nouakchott House of Poetry has remained a centre of coordination and fruitful cooperation between the Sharjah Department of Culture and the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Relations with Parliament. This has contributed to enriching the cultural scene, consolidating concepts of cooperation and national unity, and reinforcing the noble meanings of brotherhood.”
Continuing the tradition established by the Nouakchott House of Poetry of honouring Mauritanian cultural figures in conjunction with each festival edition, the tenth edition saw the recognition of four Mauritanian creatives: writer and critic Al-Taqi Al-Sheikh, poet and thinker Sayed Al-Amin Ahmed, journalist and poet Walid Al-Nas Hennoun, and poet Ahmed Boulemsak.
This honouring comes as an affirmation of the festival’s commitment to celebrating literary figures who have enriched the Mauritanian cultural scene with a wealth of creative contributions.
The first day of the festival was accompanied by the opening of an exhibition showcasing a number of publications by the Sharjah Department of Culture, including Sharjah Cultural Magazine, Al Rafid, Al Qawafi and Theatre Magazine, in addition to a collection of the Department’s publications, notably poetry collections issued by the Nouakchott House of Poetry. The exhibition witnessed strong public turnout, with visitors purchasing publications, creating a fully integrated cultural scene on the festival’s opening day.
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