Kairouan Festival concludes the ninth edition activities

The closing ceremony was graced by the presence of Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, the Chairman of the Department of Culture in Sharjah. Also in attendance were Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, the Director of Cultural Affairs for the department, along with poet Jamila Al Majri, who serves as the Director of the House of Poetry in Kairouan.

In his closing speech, Al Owais expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. He stressed that the renewed cultural gathering reflects the strong fraternal ties between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Tunisia. He also highlighted the festival's significant role in the Tunisian and Arab literary landscape, noting that it inspires further collaborative cultural efforts.

Al Owais noted that the House of Poetry in Kairouan promotes joint cultural projects between the UAE and Tunisia. He emphasized that this initiative signifies an important advancement toward exploring new cultural opportunities, reinforcing the longstanding cultural partnership between Sharjah and Tunisia. This partnership includes events such as the Sharjah Narrative Forum and the Sharjah Cultural Honoring Forum, with plans for additional initiatives in the future.

The Origins of Arabic Poetry

At the House of Wisdom in Tunisia's capital, a literary symposium accompanying the festival transported the audience back to the origins of Arabic poetry. During this event, Dr. Munsif Al Wihabi and Dr. Munsif Bin Abdul Jalil shared their insights.

Dr. Munsif Bin Abdul Jalil focused on the early roots of Arabic poetry, examining two ancient Yemeni inscriptions: "Anshidat ila Kahl," referenced as Anan 11, and "Tarnimat Al-Shams," which was uncovered by Yemeni researcher Youssef Abdullah.

In the first section of his presentation, Abdul Jalil reviewed the wording of both texts and discussed their probable dating to the first half of the second century AD. The second section highlighted the differing interpretations of these texts by historians, while the third section offered conclusions, suggesting that "Al Tarnimat" could be regarded as the earliest Arabic poetic text.

In his paper, Al Wihabi highlighted an engraved text that may represent one of the earliest examples of recorded Arabic poetry, dating back to the first century BC. He pointed out that both orientalists and some Arab scholars verified or restored this poetry, which was discovered in an inscription located in the Negev Desert in southern Palestine.

He highlighted that the poem was inscribed in five halves—rather than lines, as some studies suggest. He explained, “The first, second, third, and sixth halves were written in Aramaic, serving as a signature, while the fourth and fifth were inscribed in Nabataean Arabic.” He referenced Nasser al-Din al-Assad’s letter, “Sources of Pre-Islamic Poetry and Their Historical Value,” which provides specific mentions of Nabataean inscriptions, despite their limited availability, along with references to pre-Islamic and Islamic documents. He particularly emphasized the linear aspect related to the shapes and forms of the letters, illustrating that the Arabic script, devoid of dots and diacritics, originates from the Nabataean script. This indicates that Arabs had been utilizing it long before the advent of Islam.

Recitation

Following the symposium, a poetry session unfolded featuring an impressive lineup of poets: Munia Ammar, Moez Al Akayshi, Salem Al Masahli, and Aws Al Bathari.

The evening session brought together more talented voices, including Rahim Al Jamai, Bilal Al Masoudi, Akram Al Abidi, Asma Al Sharqi, Mohammed Khadri, and Aisha Al Alaqi.

As the festival drew to a close, Abdul Owais and Mohammed Al Qaseer took the opportunity to honor all the participants by presenting them with certificates of appreciation for their contributions.

Paradise of Poets

Poets attending the Kairouan Festival of Arabic Poetry have affirmed that Arab poetry houses have become a true haven for poets, thanks to their vibrant cultural activities. They highlighted that the House of Poetry in Kairouan has turned into a significant destination for poets not only from Tunisia but across North Africa as well.

Participants expressed their heartfelt appreciation for Sharjah, recognizing it as a nurturing hub for Arab creatives. They noted that while many intellectuals struggle to showcase their talents, Sharjah stands out by extending a helping hand, offering vital support and resources to foster their artistic journeys.