Source : WAM
The 22nd Sharjah Arabic Poetry Festival is set to begin on 5 January 2026, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
Organised by Sharjah’s Department of Culture, the week-long festival will host over 80 poets, critics, and media professionals from Arab countries, as well as several African nations.
Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture, said the festival continues Sharjah’s enduring support for Arabic poetry, describing it as a central pillar of Arab cultural identity.
He added that this edition will reveal 12 new winners of the fourth Golden Qawafi Award, recognising works published across 12 issues of Al-Qawafi magazine in 2025.
Al Owais also noted that the festival will include a symposium titled “The Emotional Trend in Arabic Poetry and Its Transformations,” examining the role of emotion in Arabic poetry and its evolution across different eras.
He highlighted that the participation of African poets demonstrates the festival’s openness to broader poetic horizons and its support for Arabic poetry platforms across the continent.
The festival will conclude with a poetry evening at the Kalba Literary Council, extending the celebrations beyond Sharjah city to other parts of the emirate.
The opening ceremony at the Cultural Palace in Sharjah will feature a recorded presentation titled “Years of Poetry” followed by poetry readings. The event will also honour winners of the fifth Sharjah Award for Arab Poetry Criticism.
On the second day, Golden Qawafi Award winners will be celebrated at the House of Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi, where they will present selected works, followed by a poetry evening at the House of Poetry.
Poetry readings will continue throughout the week at the House of Poetry, alongside symposium sessions on the fourth day, with the festival concluding in Kalba with a final poetry evening.
