Tetouan, Morocco, witnessed the vibrant opening of the seventh Moroccan Poets Festival on Friday, conducted under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, alongside His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
This three-day celebration, orchestrated by the Sharjah Department of Culture in collaboration with Morocco’s Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, has brought together over 50 eminent Moroccan poets, intellectuals, critics, and artists.
The inaugural ceremony took place at Teatro Español in central Tetouan, drawing numerous cultural and government dignitaries, including Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qasir, Director of Cultural Affairs at the Sharjah Department of Culture; Zahour Amhaouch, Regional Director representing Moroccan Minister Mohammed El Mahdi Bensaid; and Abdelrazak El Mansouri, Governor of Tetouan Province.
Additionally, writers, scholars, university students, and poetry aficionados from across Morocco attended the event.
Opening the festival was a documentary screening titled “Ten Unforgettable Years,” showcasing the achievements and cultural endeavors of the House of Poetry in Tetouan since its inception.
Poet Mukhlis Al-Saghir lauded the Houses of Poetry initiative supported by the Ruler of Sharjah, describing it as a pivotal cultural platform within the Arab world. He emphasized that the Tetouan festival has welcomed hundreds of poets throughout its history, fostering the growth of Moroccan poetry and creative expression.
Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qasir noted that the festival symbolizes the deep cultural and historical bond between the UAE and Morocco. He remarked that poetry houses all over the Arab world play a crucial part in nurturing literary talent, facilitating cultural exchanges, and preserving Arabic poetry in contemporary cultural realms.
He further asserted that the House of Poetry in Tetouan serves as a successful model, showcasing active literary programs that unite poets, writers, and critics.
Al Qasir also pointed out that the seventh festival edition underscores the ongoing cultural project and celebrates the vastness and richness of Moroccan poetry spanning various generations.
Representing the Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Zahour Amhaouch characterized the festival as a premier poetry event in Morocco. She highlighted ten years of cultural collaboration between Moroccan institutions and the Sharjah Department of Culture.
At the ceremony, the House of Poetry in Tetouan honored poet and academic Allal El Hajjam and academic Fatima Tahtah for their significant contributions to Moroccan and Arab cultural life.
The festival program also presented poetry readings by Moroccan poets that spoke to identity, human experiences, and social issues.
Moreover, the House of Poetry announced the recipients of the First Collection Award for Young Poets, encouraging new literary talents. The winning collections will be published by the House of Poetry.
Lastly, the festival acknowledged winners of the “Regional Competition for Pioneers of the Arabic Language,” aimed at promoting Arabic language skills and creative writing among youth.
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