Abu Dhabi: In a tent at the beach, poetry lovers enjoyed listening to three Emirati poets in Arabic with English translations.
UAE | General
Works of 27 poets feature at Abu Dhabi tent session
Audiences get a taste of modern Emirati literature in readings
- By Iman Sherif, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 December 31, 2011
- Image Credit: Abdul Rahman/Gulf News
- Khulood Al Mualla, a popular Emirati poet, recites her poems during the World Literature and Translation evening at the Abu Dhabi InterContinental Hotel.
In collaboration with Banipal 42, a publication supported by the Emirates Foundation, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) organised an evening of public poetry readings, giving the audience a taste of modern Emirati literature.
Emirati poets shared their works in their original form, with English translations, read by poetry experts.
Translations
Works by 27poets were presented and introduced in English translation, both in print and online.
Poets hope that this and other similar events will expose audiences in the larger global community to their modern literary work.
"As we work to make Arabic literature more accessible to the global community, we hope we will contribute to a greater awareness of the region's rich history, heritage and talent," said Philip Kennedy, Associate Professor of Middle Eastern studies at NYUAD.
Spirituality
Combining traditional musical notes with words, Adel Khozam, Emirati poet, writer, journalist, broadcaster and deputy manager of Sama Dubai TV, wrote a piece entitled Music:
FA — Far off, kick the boredom of days and head out to the fruits of life
Cut the cords of despair with the scalpel of ecstasy.
Run swift among ideas. Free them from a prison of paper
Sit at the front of seafaring ships
Raise your sail, fill it and set forth
"In this prose-poetry Music, from The House of The Wise Man collection, I was the first Emirati to combine poetry and spirituality," Khozam told Gulf News.
"I have had an ease with words since I was a child, and started writing at the age of ten. Freed from rhyme, I found in prose-poetry freedom of expression.
"My writing is a combination of poetry, prose, philosophy and contemplation, but it follows one theme and has open meaning that bears multiple interpretations," he said. His works have been translated into English, French and German, and Khozam said he and his generation of poets are writing modern poetry that reflects their views and concepts of the world.
"Emirati literature is not much different from Arab literature, but we were influenced with the recent Arab movement that called for liberation from classical literature ties, and gave imagination total freedom," he said.
More from UAE General
More from UAE
Latest news
- Al Ain officials probe IELTS, TOEFL scam claim
- Crows destroy Dubai’s native bird species
- Dubai beaches get new change rooms
- Fujairah police investigate engineer’s death
- Mohammad Bin Zayed visits Sharjah
- Three brothers get death penalty in Al Ain
- Arbitrary dismissal case is 14 months late
- Do I have to agree to a limited-term contract?
- My company won't pay my overtime; please help
- Unaware of red meat quality?
- Police rescue tourists stuck in sand dunes
- Dewa staff show charity begins at home
- Arabic conference recommendations revealed
- Adec reviews student safety steps in schools
- Pack simply, pack lightly and pack tightly
Community Reports
-
Seek solace in sarod at Madinat Theatre
Get out of the heat and into Amjad Ali Khan's upcoming sarod concert
-
Buses don’t halt at bus stops being excavated
Excavation turns using public transportation into a nightmare
-
Cyclists put their lives in danger
Alarming volumes of cargo totter precariously above their heads
-
Students step towards a greener planet
The students and their parents participate in a week to raise awareness about going green.