The 11th edition of the Al Mafraq Arabic Poetry Festival concluded recently, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Organized by the Sharjah Department of Culture in collaboration with the Jordanian Ministry of Culture, the four-day event featured over 30 poets from Jordan and other Arab countries. The closing ceremony was attended by notable figures including Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, and Dr. Oqla Al Qaderi, Director of the Jerash Culture Directorate.
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In his remarks, Al Owais expressed pride in the cultural role of the House of Poetry in Al Mafraq, which has hosted poetry evenings and literary forums since its establishment in 2015. He spoke about a memorandum of understanding between the Sharjah Department of Culture and the Jordanian Ministry of Culture intended to enhance this role, allowing the House of Poetry to expand its reach across Jordan. The House has become a prominent cultural institution in Amman and in governorates like Irbid, Jerash, and Zarqa. Al Owais noted ongoing efforts to strengthen cultural partnerships with Jordanian universities and organizations, promoting engagement among local poets and writers.
He underlined that these initiatives reaffirm the unity and authenticity of Arab culture, supported by the Ruler of Sharjah's initiative to establish 'Houses of Poetry' across the Arab region. Al Owais extended the Ruler's greetings to all participating writers and poets, wishing them success.
Oqla Al-Qadiri similarly praised the continued support from the Ruler of Sharjah for the Arab cultural movement. He commended the 'Houses of Poetry' as cultural beacons that inspire and enrich the Arab cultural landscape, emphasizing the significance of collaborative efforts among cultural directorates throughout Jordan to promote poetry in various communities.
Throughout the festival, evening sessions featured performances by poets such as Tayseer Al-Shamaseen, Zakaria Al-Zaghameem, Dr. Maysara Al-Kilani, and others, moderated by novelist Anan Mahrous. The poets explored themes of self, homeland, and memory, reflecting the richness of the Jordanian poetic tradition.
The festival concluded with a final poetry evening at the House of Poetry featuring performances by Dr. Iman Al-Omari, Hussein Al-Bashayreh, and Warda Saeed, moderated by Aqel Al-Khawaldeh. Participants underscored the importance of the 'Poetry Houses' initiative in advancing Arab cultural connectivity, noting its role in fostering creativity and interaction among Arab artists.