The Sharjah Arabic Poetry Festival is set to begin its 21st edition from January 6th to 12th, 2025. The prestigious event, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, will showcase more than 70 poets, critics, and media personalities from across the Arab world and several African nations. This year’s festival promises to be an extraordinary celebration of Arabic poetry, bridging cultural landscapes and honoring literary contributions.
A Legacy of Cultural Significance
Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, emphasized that the festival has become a vital cultural event over the years. “The festival, through its 21 editions, continues to significantly enrich the Arab literary scene and support poets. Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, it plays a pivotal role in encouraging the creation of authentic Arabic poetry,” he said.
Honoring Literary Excellence: The Golden Qawafi Award
A highlight of this year’s festival will be the “Golden Qawafi Award,” which will honor 12 poets who have made significant contributions to the Arabic poetic tradition through their involvement with the prestigious “Qawafi” magazine. In addition, the event will feature an intellectual symposium titled “Arabic Poetry: From Stability to Transformation,” which will explore the evolving nature of Arabic poetry and its critical developments through research and scholarly discussions.
Recognizing Outstanding Poets: The Sharjah Award for Arabic Poetry
The festival will also honor two distinguished poets with the 13th Sharjah Award for Arabic Poetry: Emirati poet Talal Al Junaibi and Syrian poet Hussein Al Abdullah, both of whom have made exceptional contributions to Arabic literature.
A Cross-Cultural Celebration: African Poets at the Festival
A major feature of the festival will be its cross-cultural approach, highlighting African nations such as Senegal, Mali, Niger, and Chad. This marks an important step in opening the festival to new poetic influences, fostering deeper connections between Arabic poetry and African literary traditions.
Opening Ceremony and Key Events
The opening event at the Sharjah Cultural Palace will include a documentary titled “A Decade of Giving: The Houses of Poetry,” followed by poetry readings from celebrated poets Talal Al Junaibi, Hussein Al Abdullah, and Talal Al Salti from Oman.
Honoring Excellence in Criticism
Additionally, the festival will celebrate the winners of the 4th Sharjah Award for Arabic Poetry Criticism, with Fathi Ben Belkacem Nasri (Tunisia) taking first place, Dr. Ahmed Jarallah Yassin (Iraq) securing second, and Ibrahim Al Karawi (Morocco) in third place. The winners of the 3rd Golden Qawafi Award will also be honored during the festival.
A Beacon for Arabic Literary Culture
The Sharjah Arabic Poetry Festival continues to be a beacon for Arabic literary culture, inspiring future generations of poets and promoting cultural dialogue across regions.