Egypt Commemorates A Decade Of The Luxor Festival Of Arabic Poetry With Cultural Celebrations

The 10th Luxor Festival of Arabic Poetry recently celebrated a decade since the establishment of the House of Poetry in Luxor. This event was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Organised by the Sharjah Department of Culture in collaboration with Egypt's Ministry of Culture, the festival attracted over 140 participants, including poets, artists, and critics from Egypt and the Arab world.

During the opening ceremony at the Luxor Conference Centre Theatre, Abdullah bin Muhammad Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, highlighted the festival's significance. He stated, "This cultural event has become a shining beacon on the Arab literary scene, as it launches its tenth edition, continuing its creative journey of ten years marked by distinction, success, and diverse cultural contributions."

Hussein Al-Qabbahi, Director of the Luxor House of Poetry, reflected on its impact over ten years. He said it has introduced many Egyptian creators to cultural events worldwide. "After ten years of the House of Poetry, a generous gift from H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah, it has presented a brilliant constellation of Egyptian creators," he noted.

The festival's opening night featured four poets under 25, showcasing young talent supported by the House from their early days. Al-Qabbahi emphasised that their mission is to promote values like goodness and love while fostering a sense of belonging across regions from the Atlantic Ocean to the Arabian Gulf.

Al-Owais expressed gratitude towards Egypt's Ministry of Culture for its ongoing cooperation. He praised Luxor Poetry House for nurturing young talents and contributing to a vibrant Arab poetic movement that blends tradition with innovation. The House's activities have become symbols of literary vitality in both Egyptian and Arab cultural landscapes.

Dr. Khaled Abu Al-Leil spoke on behalf of Ahmed Fouad Henou, Egypt’s Minister of Culture. He highlighted H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi’s patronage as pivotal in shaping Arab culture. "The Houses of Poetry initiative represents a very rich cultural vision for cooperation," he remarked.

A Platform for Poets Across the Arab World

Abdel-Muttalib Amara expressed pride in Luxor being chosen as a key location for this annual festival. "We are proud that Luxor was chosen as a key location for the Poetry House," he said. The festival serves as a platform uniting poets and creatives from across Arab nations.

The statistics from its first decade show significant achievements: over 600 cultural events with around 3,000 poets participating; more than 250 seminars featuring nearly 480 critics; about 25 training courses; and 20 exhibitions showcasing Arabic calligraphy and visual arts.

Cultural Milestones Achieved

The festival also honoured several individuals for their contributions to culture. Al-Owais and Muhammad Ibrahim Al Qasir were recognised alongside Abdel-Muttalib Amara and Dr. Khaled Abu Al-Leil. Additionally, Dr. Mohamed Abu El-Fadl Badran was named Cultural Personality of the Year for his ongoing creative work.

This celebration underscores how deeply rooted cooperation between Sharjah’s Department of Culture and Egypt’s Ministry remains strong after ten years—a testament to shared dedication towards enriching cultural landscapes within Egypt and beyond.

With inputs from WAM