Marrakech: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the city of Marrakech hosted the opening of the seventh Moroccan Poetry Festival, organised by the Sharjah Department of Culture in collaboration with Morocco’s Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication.
According to Emirates News Agency, the three-day event, held at Mayadeen Hall, brought together more than 40 poets, intellectuals, and artists from Morocco and around the world. It celebrates the enduring cultural partnership between the UAE and Morocco and the shared commitment to promoting poetry and literature as unifying forces of creativity and human expression.
Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, attended the ceremony alongside Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs at the Department, and senior Moroccan cultural officials. In his speech, Al Owais conveyed the greetings of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah and affirmed that the festival reflects the fraternal relations between the two nations, adding that poetry remains a humanitarian message and a mirror of a nation’s conscience. He stated that the festival is a product of cultural cooperation strengthening ties between the UAE and Morocco, providing a platform for poets and creatives.
Representing Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Samir Al Wanassi praised Sharjah’s cultural initiatives under Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi’s leadership. He commended the success of the House of Poetry in Marrakech as a model of cultural management and noted the festival’s role as a cornerstone of Morocco’s literary scene.
The opening ceremony featured a documentary on the eighth season of the House of Poetry programme in Marrakech, highlighting its cultural activities, including poetry evenings, seminars, art exhibitions, and youth workshops. The first evening showcased performances by poets Thuraya Waqas, Liu Jinzi, and Adeyemi Hamid Adekunle, reflecting artistic and cultural diversity.
The House of Poetry honoured Moroccan poets Mohammed Boujbiri, Ali Shohad, and Aziza Akida for their contributions to poetry and literature. Winners of the Poetry Criticism and Best Poem Awards were announced, with Nigerian poet Idembe Hamid Idekbele winning Best Poem and Abdul Rahman Asahli receiving the Poetry Criticism Award. China, as the guest of honour, was represented by Liu Jinzi, who shared Arabic-translated works exploring common poetic imagery between Arabic and Chinese literature.
The ceremony concluded with a musical performance by Moroccan artist Abdelwahab Doukkali, accompanied by the Asil Music Band, celebrating Arab, African, and international poetic unity.
