Department of Culture organises 5th Arab Poetry Forums in Africa

June 18, 2026 / 11:27 AM

Sharjah 24: His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has directed the Sharjah Department of Culture to organise the fifth edition of the Arab Poetry Forums in Africa during July and August. This initiative continues Sharjah's efforts to solidify the status of Arab poetry and open new horizons for cultural exchange between Africa and the Arab world.

Nine African countries

The forum will host nine African countries: Chad, Mali, Ivory Coast, Benin, Nigeria, Guinea, Senegal, Niger, and South Sudan.

The first event will be held in Chad in July, followed by events in the other participating countries, concluding in South Sudan in August.

Discovering and supporting young poetic talents

Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Head of the Department of Culture in Sharjah, affirmed that the Arab Poetry Gatherings in Africa have become an important cultural platform for discovering and supporting young poetic talents. Over the past years, they have contributed to revitalising the literary movement and opening new horizons for poets to express their experiences and creativity, thus enriching the cultural and literary project. During the gatherings, a pavilion is organised for the Department of Culture’s poetic and literary publications to be available to the audience of the poetry gatherings, to stimulate new generations and to learn about the experiences of poets and writers.