Honoring Cultural Contributions and Promoting Poetry
The 7th edition of the 'Beaches of Poetry' festival has recently taken place, featuring the esteemed critic Dr. Munir al-Basqari, who was recognized for his significant contributions to poetic criticism and scholarly research. This event serves as a cultural and social platform aimed at bridging the gap between the audience and poetry. The festival is designed to foster direct interactions between creators and their audience, promoting a shared appreciation for the art form. Given past editions have successfully showcased poetry across various locations, this edition also coincides with the symbolic return of Moroccan expatriates to their homeland, infusing the festival with a rich social resonance and a spirit of connection.
This grand poetic event is part of the broader initiative by the House of Poetry in Marrakech to engage with different cities and regions in southern Morocco. It aims to enhance the accessibility of poetry in public spaces while creating new avenues for the dissemination of poetic works among the public. Each night, the beach at Bdouza transforms into a vibrant cultural hub, hosting daily events that include poetry readings, musical performances, and artistic expressions. During the day, workshops on poetry, theater, reading, and recitation are held at 10:30 AM, while the public reading space at the beach library remains open to holidaymakers and the general public.
The festivities commenced on the evening of Sunday, August 9th, with an extraordinary welcome and the launch of workshops focused on dramatized poetry, sound, movement, and sand sculpture. These workshops welcomed participants from the Bdouza summer camp, local residents, and holidaymakers, guided by artist Nuzha Al-Jaidi and community facilitator Fawzia Naytmaw. The beach library’s daily programs were overseen by artist Saeed Abu Khalid, who emphasized reading awareness and creativity development for children and attendees, featuring publications from the Sharjah Culture Department and the House of Poetry in Marrakech.
Poetic Performances and Celebrations
The subsequent day saw poetry enthusiasts gather for the first evening of the 'Beaches of Poetry' festival's seventh edition, themed 'Poets and Dramatic Artists.' The event featured performances from poets including Said Al-Tashfini, Hania Al-Sharami, Said Jidani Bazi, and Abdel Salam Benfina, with the Gnawa group 'Qudsi Abdul Jalil' enlivening the inaugural night. The beach space evolved into a cultural and poetic arena, showcasing the interplay of poetry and art as Hania Al-Sharami and Abdel Salam Benfina presented their works to beachgoers. This dialogue between body and word, coupled with the emotional pulse of poetry and expressive movement, created a bridge between poetic and creative arts in a singular performance. Additionally, poets Said Al-Tashfini and the zajal (popular poet) Said Jidani shared their latest creations, with Al-Tashfini delivering a sarcastic piece that resonated deeply with the audience, while Jidani's work played with contrasting words and the absurdity of meaning.
The House of Poetry in Marrakech also celebrated researcher and critic Munir al-Basqari, an academic who has dedicated his intellectual efforts to exploring cultural history. Dr. Munir al-Basqari previously served as Vice Dean of the Multidisciplinary Faculty and is known for his studies on ‘Malhun’ poetry, including his published work 'Malhun Poetry in Asfi' and his thesis on 'Sufi Tendencies in Malhun Poetry,' which serves as a significant intellectual benchmark for reexamining critical questions surrounding poetry in Morocco.
On Tuesday, August 11th, the 'Beaches of Poetry' festival culminated in a child-focused event featuring sand sculpture creation and a concluding performance by children from the workshops, designed to develop their recitation, vocal, and movement skills. The children presented dramatized poetic pieces in the presence of their families and a large audience of holidaymakers. Additionally, attendees were treated to performances by poets 'residing in poetry' such as Youssef Al-Azraq, Thouriya Al-Kour, Abduljawad Al-Aoufir, and Mohamed Al-Saq, with the “Al-Ruwat” group providing artistic entertainment for the closing event. Poet Abduljawad Al-Aoufir delivered a poignant long piece that delved deep into language, while Youssef Al-Azraq dedicated his poem to the locale 'Mogador,' rich with imagery and metaphors. Poet Mohamed Al-Saq presented succinct verses from his collection, while Thouriya Al-Kour intertwined her piece with contemporary poetic themes.
Through the 'Beaches of Poetry,' various poets from Rabat, Essaouira, Asfi, Casablanca, and El Jadida shared their poetic experiences with the audience, fostering a connection between the sea and the art of poetry. This initiative illustrates the commitment of the House of Poetry in Marrakech to create opportunities for poetry's presence in public spaces and celebrate the cultural richness of Morocco.
As reported by tanwer.ma.
