Marrakech Welcomes Seventh Moroccan Poetry Festival

MARRAKECH – The city of Marrakech opened its doors to the seventh Moroccan Poetry Festival on 10 October, drawing a gathering of more than forty poets, critics and cultural figures from Morocco and abroad. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and King Mohammed VI, the three-day event takes place at Mayadeen Hall and is jointly organised by the Sharjah Department of Culture and Morocco’s Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication.

At the opening ceremony, a documentary was screened that presented the evolving programme of the House of Poetry in Marrakech, showcasing its plans for the eighth season — covering poetry nights, workshops, art exhibitions and youth initiatives. The event featured performances by Moroccan poet Thuraya Waqas, Chinese poet Liu Jinzi, and Nigerian poet Adeyemi Hamid Adekunle, signalling the festival’s ambition to foster cross-cultural exchange.

Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, addressed attendees. He conveyed the greetings of the Ruler of Sharjah and emphasised that the festival symbolises the fraternal ties between the UAE and Morocco. He affirmed that poetry remains both a humanitarian message and a national mirror of conscience. Representing Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Samir Al Wanassi commended Sharjah’s leadership in cultural initiatives and highlighted the House of Poetry’s role as a model of cultural management.

China is the guest of honour at this edition, with Liu Jinzi presenting Arabic translations of her work which explore shared poetic imagery between Chinese and Arabic traditions. The festival also honoured Moroccan literary figures Mohammed Boujbiri, Ali Shohad, and Aziza Akida for their lifetime contributions to poetry, and announced the winners of its awards: Nigerian poet Idembe Hamid Idekbele secured first prize for Best Poem, while Abdul Rahman Asahli won the Poetry Criticism award.