Sharjah Nabati Poetry Festival concludes its 20th edition in Kalba

This came in the presence of Sheikh Haitham bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Deputy Head of the Sharjah Ruler’s Office in Kalba, and the Festival Director, Batti Al Mazloom.

The closing evening featured the participation of a number of male and female poets, in addition to a performance by Al Shuwain Al Harbiyah troupe, which presented a variety of Emirati heritage and folkloric musical displays.

An evening rich in themes and poetic diversity

The well-attended evening, hosted by media presenter Dareen Khalifa, included poems exploring themes of homeland, wisdom, advice, reproach, the description of nature, and longing.

Ali Matar Al Weshahi: Love for Sharjah and timeless values

Emirati poet Ali Matar Al Weshahi recited poems celebrating his love for Sharjah and praising its cultural presence, whose foundations were laid by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Al Weshahi’s poems also reflected on time and the passage of years, pride in authentic values, praise of kindness and human ethics, and a call to humility and avoidance of arrogance.

Ahmed Al Nasseri: National and emotional poetry

For his part, Emirati poet Ahmed Al Nasseri presented a selection of national and emotional poems, and also performed sung poetry in a number of traditional shilat, including verses from the poem “Nam Al Dalayah.”

Ayed bin Khattaf Al Ajmi: Landscape, companionship and praise of Sharjah

Kuwaiti poet Ayed bin Khattaf Al Ajmi’s poems carried a refined literary sensibility that combined vivid scene-setting with celebration of the desert, journeys with friends, and praise of Sharjah’s cultural and social standing, as well as the presence of poets and literary figures.

Munir Al Saadi: Authenticity across time

The poem presented by Yemeni poet Munir Al Saadi encompassed several poetic purposes, including praise of poetry and poets, and of Sharjah as a home of the pen, culture and thought. It also explored distance, thirst, yearning and longing. Al Saadi affirmed the meaning of authenticity in every new era, reciting from his poem “The Mature Letters”.

Amal Al Shaqsiya: Social reflections and poetic dialogue

In the poems of Omani poet Amal Al Shaqsiya, the audience engaged with verses addressing social themes, alongside poems of wisdom and advice, and praise of Sharjah.

Munira Al Subaie: Emotion and memory

Bahraini poet Munira Al Subaie turned to poems praising Sharjah, as well as emotional and heartfelt pieces enriched by descriptions of the past and memories, including verses from her poem “Tahat Min Aghsani”.

Honouring the participants

At the conclusion of the evening, Sheikh Haitham bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Deputy Head of the Sharjah Ruler’s Office in Kalba, together with Festival Director Batti Al Mazloom, honoured the poets who took part in the closing night.