Under the esteemed patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, along with King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the festival kicked off on Friday evening in Marrakesh. Spanning three days, it gathers over 30 poets, artists, and intellectuals to honor Morocco’s rich poetic tradition.
Organized by the House of Poetry in Marrakesh, in partnership with Sharjah’s Department of Culture and the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, this year’s festival is particularly significant as it coincides with Marrakesh being designated the Islamic World Cultural Capital for 2024. This recognition emphasizes the city’s profound cultural and historical importance within the Islamic community.
A Historic Opening Amidst Enthusiastic Attendance
The opening ceremony took place at the historic Cyber Park Arsat Moulay Abdesalam, attracting a host of distinguished guests. Among them were Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Head of the Department of Culture in Sharjah; Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs in Sharjah’s Department of Culture; and Hisham Aboukari, Director of the Arts Sector, representing Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Dr. Mohammed Al Mahdi bin Saeed. Their attendance highlighted the strong cultural ties between the UAE and Morocco, drawing a large crowd of literary enthusiasts, artists, and poetry aficionados.
The opening event included a moving audio recording that highlighted key moments from the seventh season of the Marrakesh House of Poetry program, showcasing the cultural and artistic achievements of the past year. Through such initiatives, the House of Poetry has created a nurturing environment for poets and artists to share their voices and contribute to the vibrant poetic culture in Morocco.
