Poetry houses in the Arab world are cultural beacons that have strengthened the Arabic language and poetic taste

Sharjah, January 19, 2015 – The cultural initiative “Houses of Poetry”, launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in 2015, succeeded in preserving the status of poetry and its appreciation as an authentic Arab creativity that was and will remain the memory of the nation and the Diwan. Its language and crafts, and in making poetry houses radiant centers for poetry and literature, and a meeting place for poets of all stripes in their countries in order to preserve their movement. Creativity and a gathering of their poetic and literary energy in a way that contributes to raising the poetic and creative taste and encouraging the cultural and poetic movement in the Arab creative arena.

Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Cultural Affairs Department at the Sharjah Department of Culture, said in a statement to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, that the launch of poetry houses in the Arab world took place 10 years ago, as a cultural initiative established by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in 6 Arab countries, the first of which came in 2015. In Mafraq in Jordan, Luxor in Egypt, the verse of Kairouan in Tunisia, and the verse of Nouakchott in Mauritania, followed in 2016 by a verse of poetry. Khartoum, and in Morocco, where the House of Poetry was located in Tetouan, and finally the House of Poetry in Marrakesh in 2017.

He added that poetry houses have become cultural beacons in the countries in which they reside and a destination for all writers at a time when the circle of activities of each house expands beyond its borders by traveling to local cities, pointing out that the poetry house in Kairouan has reached the capital of Tunis and the coastal city of Monastir. Sousse and other Tunisian regions, just as the House of Poetry in Luxor reached many Egyptian governorates in its travels, and the scene of travel in “Marrakesh” is repeated. “Tetouan”, “Khartoum”, “Mafraq” and “Nouakchott”, which is an affirmation of the noble message that the houses seek to present to Arab culture.

He added that these houses, during their ten years of operation, strengthened the presence of Arabic poetry and contributed to supplying the Arab library with many poetic publications in particular, and had a clear creative imprint on the Arab cultural scene.

He continued that poetry houses in the Arab world, over a period of 10 years, published poetry collections by writers who had never been published before, and they were essentially among the pioneers of poetry houses and knew how to start from this literary platform.

A number of poetry house directors appreciated the patronage and support of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for this cultural initiative and its permanent follow-up by the Sharjah Department of Culture.

Hussein Al-Qabahi, director of the Poetry House in Luxor in Egypt, said that the “House” contributed to improving poetic taste, strengthening the relationship of the public and intellectuals with Arabic poetry and the Arabic language, taking care of it, and celebrating the rising young generations who herald a bright future.

He added that during the past ten years, the House of Poetry presented 1,400 poets, who currently represent the bright poetic front of Arabic poetry. 44 collections of poetry for young poets were also printed and many critical studies were prepared to improve their poetic experiences.

For her part, Jamila Al-Majri, director of the House of Poetry in Kairouan, Tunisia, said that the House organizes 4 events every month, including poetry evenings and critical seminars on poetry and the Arabic language, explaining that it was able to attract 1,000 poets and literary critics, not only from Tunisia, but from neighboring countries such as Libya, and Algeria to participate in its activities.

Abdullah Al-Sayed, director of the House of Poetry in Nouakchott, confirmed that he restored Arabic poetry to its shine and restored the Arabic language’s place in social circles, in poetic circulation and in academic research.

He explained that since its founding until today, the House of Poetry has published 50 collections of poetry, in addition to dozens of poetry studies and critical research seminars, and has become one of the landmarks that visitors to Nouakchott are keen to visit in search of information related to Arabic poetry in its cultural, intellectual and social context.

For his part, Abdelhak Mifrani, director of the House of Poetry in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh, said that the role of the Emirate of Sharjah cannot be limited to this initiative alone, as its contributions are clear in theatre, fine art and calligraphy, and he sees it as a cultural field, pointing out that the “House” has succeeded in issuing many collections of poetry. Poetry and critical books in translations, poetic creativity and criticism.

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