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The opening ceremony was held at the Teatro Español in downtown Tetouan, attended by Mr Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qasir, Director of Cultural Affairs at the Sharjah Department of Culture; Ms Zahour Amhaouch, Regional Director of Culture, representing His Excellency Mohammed El Mahdi Bensaid, Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication; Mr Abdelrazak El Mansouri, Governor of Tetouan Province; and a large number of writers, intellectuals, university students, and poetry enthusiasts.
The opening ceremony was presented by the Director of the House of Poetry in Tetouan, the poet Mukhlis Al-Saghir, who welcomed the attendees at the outset, emphasising that Houses of Poetry have become active cultural beacons in the Arab cultural landscape thanks to the guidance of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah.
Al-Saghir noted that they have become creative spaces that celebrate and amplify the presence of poetry. He pointed out that the festival brings together a selection of the most prominent Moroccan poetic voices and has witnessed the participation of hundreds of poets throughout its various editions.
At the beginning of his speech, Professor Mohammed Al-Qasir expressed his delight at the renewed cultural gathering in Tetouan, saying: "We are pleased to meet today in the embrace of the White Dove, the historic city of Tetouan, on a cultural occasion that embodies the deep fraternal ties between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Morocco. It reflects the profound historical and human relations that unite the two countries, under the generous patronage of the two wise leaderships, thus affirming the status of culture as a noble language of communication, love, and rapprochement between peoples."
Al-Qasir added, "This ongoing cultural exchange is but an extension of a bright history of constructive cooperation within these strong relations, and a firm belief in the importance of culture in unifying the Arab conscience and enhancing the presence of creative expression."
Al-Qasir noted that the past few years have witnessed a remarkable poetic and literary movement across the Arab world, manifested in evenings, gatherings, and festivals that celebrated poetry and literature, attracting creators, critics, and audiences alike. This confirms that Arabic poetry remains vibrant and capable of creating beauty, instilling hope, and solidifying the values of identity and belonging. He pointed out that poetry houses throughout the Arab world have been beacons of this creative movement, cultural incubators for new talents, and platforms for honoring prominent Arab poets who have contributed to enriching the Arab cultural landscape.
Regarding the House of Poetry in Tetouan, Al-Qasir said: "The House of Poetry in Tetouan has served as a shining example of this pioneering cultural initiative, given the diverse and vibrant literary activity witnessed in the city of Tetouan and its surrounding cultural sphere. Poets, writers, and critics gathered around it, all contributing to the creation of a cultural landscape brimming with beauty, creativity, and knowledge. This reflects the success of the Houses of Poetry project and its role in restoring the prestige of poetic expression and strengthening the presence of culture in the Arab world."
Al-Qasir continued: "Within the context of the ongoing cultural movement of the House of Poetry in Tetouan, the seventh edition of the Tetouan Festival of Moroccan Poets reaffirms its presence as a firmly established literary event in the Moroccan and Arab cultural scene. This edition confirms the continuity of this creative project in celebrating poetic expression and opening its spaces to diverse poetic experiences that represent the variety of generations and experiences, reflecting the richness and constant renewal of the Moroccan poetic scene." He emphasised that the festival provides an opportunity to deepen communication between poets and poetry audiences, and to highlight the vitality that underscores the importance of Moroccan poetry, with its unique voices and renewed aesthetic visions that contribute to enriching Arab culture and its creative landscape.
Al-Qasir commended the Moroccan Ministry of Culture's cooperation in the success of cultural initiatives, saying: "On this auspicious occasion, it is important to acknowledge the cooperation of the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication in the sisterly Kingdom of Morocco, represented by His Excellency Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, and all those involved, including the staff and administrative team, for their commendable efforts in supporting cultural work and ensuring the success of this prestigious literary event, befitting Morocco's cultural and civilizational standing." He also praised the constructive cultural cooperation, which embodies the spirit of fraternal collaboration among Arab cultural institutions and affirms that culture will remain a unifying space for dialogue, creativity, and enlightenment.
The Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs at the Department of Culture conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and His Highness’s wishes for the festival’s success, saying: “I am honored 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 Highness’s wishes for your continued success.”
On behalf of His Excellency Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, Zahour Amhaouch, Regional Director of Culture, delivered the Ministry's address. She began by emphasising that the festival, thanks to the initiative of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, has become one of the most important festivals celebrating Moroccan poetry. She stated, "It is my pleasure to participate with you in the opening of the seventh edition of the Moroccan Poets Festival, organised by the House of Poetry in Tetouan, as a culmination of the partnership and cooperation between the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication's cultural sector and the Department of Culture in the Government of Sharjah."
Amhaouch added, "Since its inception, through the generous initiative of His His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, this festival has become one of the most important festivals celebrating Arabic poetry and Moroccan poets. It has become an unmissable annual event, a space for poets to meet each year, and an inclusive platform for all poetic experiences and successive generations on this stage, which has resonated with the diverse voices of Moroccan poetry." She continued, saying, "This moment we are experiencing now, as we inaugurate the Moroccan Poets Festival in Tetouan, is not a fleeting one, but rather the culmination of ten years of encounters between Moroccan poets, with their diverse experiences and voices."
Regarding the House of Poetry in Tetouan, the regional director stated, "Just as the House of Poetry in Tetouan is dedicated to honouring and celebrating Moroccan poets, it is equally open to young poetic voices through the workshops and awards it organises, most notably the First Collection Award for Young Poets. In addition to supporting these young poets, the House of Poetry also engages with poetry critics and scholars through the cultural and academic seminars it organises throughout the year." She added: "Thus, through this festival and its events, and through the various activities organised by the House of Poetry in Tetouan, in other cities of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, and in other regions, as well as in gardens, archaeological sites, and local, regional, and international exhibitions, listening to poetry has become a daily practice, restoring the poem to its rightful place in our culture and its firm presence in the hearts of all Moroccans."
Zuhour Amhaouch congratulated the House of Poetry in Tetouan on its excellence and all its commendable efforts in service of poetry and poets in Morocco and the Arab world. She also extended her greetings to the poets, critics, and artists participating in this edition of the Moroccan Poets Festival.
Continuing its tradition of celebrating Moroccan creators during the festival's editions, the House of Poetry in Tetouan honored poet and academic Allal El Hajjam and researcher and academic Dr Fatima Tahtah in recognition of their intellectual and creative contributions to the Moroccan and Arab cultural landscape.
Allal El Hajjam is considered one of the most prominent voices in Moroccan poetry, combining poetic experience with academic research. He has worked as a university professor in Morocco and the United States and has left a clear mark on the trajectory of modern Moroccan poetry through his poetic and critical works.
Dr Fatima Tahtah is known for her pioneering contributions to Andalusian studies and her distinguished academic and cultural presence. She has dedicated her scholarly career to serving Andalusian heritage and literary research, and has contributed to the development of generations of researchers and students.
The honourees expressed their deep gratitude to Sharjah, the Department of Culture, and the House of Poetry in Tetouan for this recognition, considering it a true appreciation of the value of words and creativity, and a continuation of support for the Moroccan and Arab cultural scene. They emphasized that such cultural initiatives contribute to encouraging creative individuals and strengthening the presence of creativity.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mohammed Al-Qasir and Zuhur Amhawsh presented the honourees with certificates of appreciation and commemorative plaques in recognition of their intellectual and creative contributions and their role in enriching the Arab cultural landscape.
The House of Poetry also commemorated the late Moroccan poet Mohammed Al-Tanjawi, with his son, the poet Qais Bin Yahya, delivering a tribute to his father.
The opening ceremony featured a poetry reading by three Moroccan poets who presented a selection of their diverse poems to a remarkable audience response. The texts ranged from human and emotional reflections to celebrations of identity, reflecting the richness of the Moroccan poetic experience and the diversity of its voices and creative styles.
The poets participating in the opening evening were: Abdelatif Benyahia, Iman Ait Baba, and Yassine Bouabsalam (winner of first place in the Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity/First Publication in the field of poetry, in its twenty-seventh edition).
The House of Poetry in Tetouan announced the winners of the First Collection Award for Young Poets, in its seventh edition. This award reflects the House's openness to new poetic experiences, its support for young voices, and its commitment to contemporary Moroccan poetry. The winning collections will be published by the House.
The award is considered an important milestone in discovering young poetic talents and a genuine opportunity to showcase new voices with broad poetic visions. The House of Poetry in Tetouan has been keen to launch this prize since the festival's first edition, believing in the importance of nurturing young literary talents and encouraging them to continue writing and creating.
The results of this year's competition saw poet Asmaa Kabir win first place for her collection "Winged Anxiety," while poet Yassine Arhal came in second for his collection "Lightness of Trace," and poet Mohamed Al-Moudan took third place for his collection "The Beginning of Night, the End of the Body."
Al-Qasir and Amhawsh presented the winners with certificates of appreciation, honoring their creative efforts and celebrating their promising poetic experiences.
Based on the House of Poetry in Tetouan's commitment to consolidating the status of the Arabic language among rising generations and celebrating its beauty, the House honored the winners of the "Regional Competition for Pioneers of the Arabic Language." The initiative aims to cultivate linguistic and creative awareness in children and young people, and refine their oral and written expression skills through diverse competitions including poetry recitation, literary reading, and short story writing. This contributes to strengthening their connection to the Arabic language and solidifying its presence in their cultural and intellectual consciousness.
The fourth edition of the competition saw the crowning of more than ten male and female contestants from various Moroccan cities, amidst a remarkable celebratory atmosphere.
The festival's opening events featured the screening of a documentary titled "Ten Unforgettable Years," which traced the journey of the House of Poetry in Tetouan since its founding. The documentary highlighted its most prominent cultural and creative milestones and its accumulated achievements in service of Moroccan and Arab poetry.
The documentary shed light on the most important programs and initiatives launched by the House since its establishment, from poetry evenings and critical seminars to intellectual fora, as well as projects supporting young poets and discovering new voices, in addition to its role in promoting Arab cultural presence.
It is worth mentioning that the Teatro Español was built in 1914, and is located in the old city of Tetouan, near the Royal Palace and the Archaeological Museum, which is an archaeological and historical area that has been included on the World Heritage List.
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