The eighth edition of the Marrakech Moroccan Poetry Festival concluded with great success, showcasing the profound cultural heritage of Morocco. Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, this vibrant event took place over three days in the enchanting city of Marrakech. Organized by the Sharjah Department of Culture in collaboration with the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Sports, the festival attracted a diverse array of poets, critics, and artists from Morocco and various Arab nations, reflecting a rich tapestry of artistic expression.
The closing ceremony was graced by the presence of significant figures, including Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Owais, the head of the Sharjah Department of Culture; Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Qusair, director of cultural affairs; Dr. Belayed Boukadir, president of Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech; Rashid Al-Mustafa, head of the cooperation department in the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Sports; and Abdel Haq Maiferani, director of the House of Poetry in Marrakech. This gathering also included a host of academics, students, and poetry enthusiasts, underscoring the festival's importance in fostering cultural dialogue and appreciation.
During the three days of the festival, the city of Marrakech resonated with poetic rhythms, attracting creative voices from various Moroccan cities in a cultural celebration that honored the art of poetry and its creators. The event featured over 50 poets, critics, and artists, offering a program that brilliantly intertwined poetry with the arts, drawing a large audience that highlighted significant cultural engagement within the Moroccan cultural scene.
Dr. Belayed Boukadir delivered a heartfelt speech at the festival's conclusion, expressing, "On behalf of Cadi Ayyad University, one of the largest universities in Morocco, and all its components, including professors, students, and administrative staff, I warmly welcome Sharjah and convey our immense happiness in hosting this significant event of the eighth Marrakech Moroccan Poetry Festival." He emphasized the university's commitment to nurturing creativity in all its dimensions—scientific, artistic, and literary—recognizing that the spirit driving a student to scientific research and innovation is the same that inspires them to write poetry or engage in other artistic pursuits.
In this context, Dr. Boukadir highlighted the university's efforts to encourage cultural and artistic student clubs, organize literary gatherings, and open its spaces to creators and intellectuals, while the digital university library plays a crucial role in this endeavor, serving as a meeting point for printed and digital content, as well as a space for dialogue between researchers and creators.
He further stated, "This initiative is part of a clear desire to enhance cooperation between our university and the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Sports, along with the House of Poetry in Marrakech, which has become a prominent cultural landmark in both the city and Morocco. We look forward to developing this cooperation into sustainable joint programs, such as poetry writing workshops for students, meetings with poets and critics, and supporting young talents in publishing their works, making the university a true incubator for new poetic voices." Additionally, he expressed the university's full readiness to collaborate with the Sharjah Department of Culture, given its pioneering experience in supporting Arabic poetry and nurturing houses of poetry, which serves Arab culture and strengthens communication bridges between creators and researchers in our two brotherly countries.
On the final day, a poetic session titled "Poets Coming to the Future" featured emerging poets such as Abdel Rahim Asban, Mariam Atwaif, Taha Faris, and Zuhaira Al-Saadi, with Khadija Al-Saadi presenting the session, accompanied by a musical performance on the oud by the musician Idris Jara. The event was enriched by further discussions with honored festival guests, including Idris Al-Miliani, Khadija Yakin, and Mohammed Al-Ghaith Kin, who shared significant moments from their creative journeys and the challenges they faced during their writing paths, engaging the audience in a lively exchange of ideas and insights.
As the festival concluded with a poetic evening in the "Moulay Abdessalam" Garden, featuring poets such as Mohammed Al-Salahi, Fatima Zahra Benis, Halima Al-Mujahid, and Hassan Amouloud, the event was presented by Anas Al-Malhouni with an additional segment titled "Alphabetics and Choreography" by poet Haniya Al-Sharami and artist Ibrahim Labloul. The festival not only celebrated the beauty of poetry but also highlighted the evolving identity of Moroccan poetic texts, as discussions delved into the transformations seen in Moroccan poetry and the diverse perspectives that emerge from it.
Overall, the Marrakech Moroccan Poetry Festival served as a vital platform for cultural exchange, showcasing the importance of arts in bridging communities and fostering a deeper understanding of the human experience through the power of poetry.
As reported by sharjah24.ae.
