The third edition of the cultural and poetic programming by the Dar Poetry in Marrakech aims to create an open window into the diverse experiences and generations of modern Moroccan poetry. This initiative seeks to weave connections between poetry and various other fields, such as media, visual arts, theater, cinema, and storytelling. The event will feature artistic segments led by the talented artist Soukaina Mouiss, along with contributions from the artist Elias Arghai.
Additionally, this gathering will highlight a special celebratory moment dedicated to the esteemed poet and media figure Abdul Latif Benhayya, born in Tangier in 1953. This tribute acknowledges his prolific contributions to writing, creativity, and media. His work at Radio Tangier, which has spanned since the 1980s until the early 2000s, includes programs that resonate deeply with the Moroccan spirit, such as "Circle of Light," "Entertainment and Companionship," "Images from the Countryside," and "Good Morning, O Sea." His poetry collections, including "Hurricanes of Sadness and Joy" (1974) and "The Walls," further showcase his literary prowess.
Benhayya has also been recognized at various national and Arab festivals, including winning the Grand National Journalism Award in 2017. Alongside him, the poetry gathering will host poet and media personality Fatima Al-Baroudi, who has served as the news director at the first Moroccan channel and is a member of the High Council for Audiovisual Communication.
Al-Baroudi holds a Ph.D. in Public Law and Political Science, awarded in 2015 from the Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences in Rabat, focusing on the topic of "Arab Satellite Media between Movement and Stability Challenges." Moreover, another key voice in contemporary Moroccan poetry, Widad Benmoussa, will read selections from her recent works, exploring themes of fragility that affect existence. Benmoussa, who has published several poetry collections such as "Root in the Air," "Between Two Clouds," and "I Almost Lost My Narcissism," continues to shine in her ability to navigate the intersections of poetry and visual arts, alongside photography and media.
Furthermore, the poet and media figure Mohamed Belmo will join the event, bringing his reflections from his hometown of Beni Ammar Zerhoun. Known for his work "Voice of the Soil" and his academic message on "Sociology of Reading," as well as a diploma in journalistic writing techniques from the Higher Institute of Journalism, Belmo will present some insights from his collaborative work titled "Salmon's Foolishness" with poet Abdellatif Jamal, published in 2007. Belmo has continued his poetic journey through collections such as "Ashes of Certainty" and "Black Seed to Kill Spring," advocating for the free voice of poetry, which he perceives as a horizon of human values.
Within its ninth cultural and poetic season, the Dar Poetry in Marrakech continues to embrace the experiences, sensitivities, and generations of modern Moroccan poetry, organizing its cultural and poetic programs that have been established over the past nine years. The initiative seeks to maintain an open dialogue through a series of new programs and segments, celebrating the rich tapestry of Moroccan poetry.
As reported by ar.le360.ma.
