Egypt official hails Sultan’s role in promoting poetry

Amidst a festive atmosphere in the open-air theatre in the courtyard of the Egyptian city of Luxor, the Luxor Arabic Poetry Festival put the final touches on the activities of the ninth edition, held under the patronage of Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and organised by the Department of Culture in Sharjah and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, over 4 days, with the participation of more than 100 poets, critics, academics, writers, and artists.

The closing ceremony was attended by Abdullah Bin Muhammad Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture in Sharjah; Muhammad Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs in the Department of Culture in Sharjah; Dr Muhammad Hassani, Director of the Egyptian Public Library, Director of the Luxor Centre for Cultural Heritage, and Hussein Al Qabbahi, Director of the House of Poetry.

Al Qabbahi delivered a speech in which he welcomed the attendees, stressing that Luxor, in addition to being an important historical and archaeological city, has gained a prominent cultural status based on the patronage of the Ruler of Sharjah for the House of Poetry.

He added that Sheikh Sultan has given these noble opportunities, and opened up broad horizons for the House of Poetry to learn about the Egyptian cultural and creative scene, and allowed creators and poets in particular to have their say.

Al Qabbahi pointed out that Egypt experiences a cultural celebration every year represented by the Luxor Poetry Festival, pointing out that a large number of creators who grew up in the House of Poetry have become stars leading the cultural scene, stressing that the house is expanding its activities with all official Egyptian institutions, and seeks to care for the cultural scene in Egypt.

In a closing speech, Al Owais appreciated the manifestation of the meanings of cooperation between the House of Poetry and Luxor Governorate, represented by its cultural and academic institutions (Faculty of Fine Arts at Luxor University), the Egyptian Public Library, and other institutions active in the Egyptian cultural arena, stressing that this cooperation works to make the cultural movement in the southern Egyptian city, and all over Egypt.

The head of the Department of Culture expressed his admiration for the poetry audience that followed the festival’s activities over 4 days.

Hassani stressed that the vision of the Ruler of Sharjah to establish Houses of Poetry in the Arab world, including the House of Poetry in Luxor, constituted a distinct cultural case, and produced an Arab cultural unity based on the pioneering idea of houses of poetry.

Hassani also said in a speech that cooperation is ongoing between the Egyptian Public Library and the House of Poetry in order to enrich the cultural process and develop talents in Luxor and Upper Egypt, describing the House as the “right arm” of the library with its continuous support for them to move in cultural work, stressing that it is a partnership that he is proud of and of great importance, highlighting that the library will witness greater cooperation in the coming period that will result in many activities for the House.

Poets and participants in the Luxor Festival of Arabic Poetry confirmed that Sharjah has reserved a prestigious place for itself in the hearts of poets and writers in all parts of the Arab world, as it provides unconditional support to intellectuals and writers, considering that the House of Poetry has played a central and important role in serving poetry and poets from all over Egypt for nine years, and linking the north and the south in a true sense of belonging to the Arab world in general, and to Egypt in particular.

Recently, Egypt’s Minister had applauded Sheikh Sultan for his constant support to cultural institutions and his permanent keenness on giving paramount attention to culture, being a strong bridge boosting cultural bonds between Arabs and other peoples worldwide.

He made the statements in a cultural gathering while commenting on the selection of Luxor Governorate as the Arab Capital of Culture.

WAM