UAE | Government
Mohammad Bin Rashid orders the setting up of a House of Poetry in Dubai
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday directed the establishment of the ‘House of Poetry’, a centre for researching and documenting Arabic poetry and strengthening its presence and profile within the Arab world and beyond.
- WAM
- Published: 15:21 July 8, 2008
Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday directed the establishment of the ‘House of Poetry', a centre for researching and documenting Arabic poetry and strengthening its presence and profile within the Arab world and beyond.
The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation has been mandated to set up the initiative that will promote classical and contemporary Arabic poetry. It will also facilitate the interaction between Arab poets and their peers from across the globe and further the role of poetry as an effective communications tool for augmenting inter-cultural dialogue.
Located at Al Shindagha area in Dubai, The House of Poetry will focus on academic research and the systematic documentation of Arabic poetry, while hosting a range of poetry-related activities such as competitions and awards, reading sessions, workshops, conferences, forums, and seminars. A top priority of the House will be to promote, research and document Nabati poetry, an indigenous form of verse unique to the Gulf region.
Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said: “The House of Poetry is another milestone achievement that will complement Dubai's record of strategic initiatives, offering Arabic literature the standing it deserves. The House will encourage Dubai's drive to promote quality cultural output, particularly in poetry, an integral component of the Arabic culture.
“Establishing a dedicated centre for poetic activities underlines the leadership's vision to invest in and support cultural growth on local, regional and international levels. The House of Poetry will be a focal point for studies and research related to Arabic poetry in general, with special attention accorded to the propagation of Nabati poetry.''
The House of Poetry will complement the role and mission of Dubai International Poetry Festival, which was recently commissioned by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The two initiatives will actively attract renowned poets from the Arab region and different parts of the world, fostering Dubai's position as a central platform for global cultural dialogue.
The House will facilitate knowledge and expertise transfer through interaction between emerging and veteran Arab poets, and provide young Arab poets with financial support for publishing their poems.
The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation has confirmed the House will be set up at one of the classical buildings in the Al Shindagha traditional quarter.
The Arab world boasts a rich storehouse of poetry, chronicling its people's achievements, customs and traditions. Known as 'Diwan Al Arab‘(The Register of the Arabs), the genre of poetry is embedded in the region's cultural roots and has enjoyed coveted status over generations of literary lovers.
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