Sharjah Hosts Literary Talk On Poetry At Asmar Podcast Event

H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, attended the “Asmar Podcast” literary gathering on Thursday evening. The event was organised as part of the activities of the Sharjah International Book Fair at Expo Centre Sharjah. The session brought together a large audience of poetry lovers, writers, students, and cultural enthusiasts who came to learn more about the depth and beauty of Arabic poetry.

The event featured well-known podcast host Dr. Faisal Al Shahrani, who led the discussion. He was joined by two celebrated poets, Abdullah Al Anzi and Hosni Malek. Together, they explored various aspects of Arabic poetry and its major role in shaping Arab culture throughout history.

During the discussion, the speakers explained how Arabic poetry has always been a strong part of Arab identity. They talked about its influence on culture, its role in media, and its ability to express emotions, experiences, and historical stories. They highlighted that Arabic poetry is not only a form of art but also a key tool for preserving traditions, values, and language.

The speakers took the audience on a journey through different historical periods of Arabic poetry. They discussed major poets such as Al-Mutanabbi, Abu Firas Al Hamdani, Abu Tammam, Al Bardouni, and Ahmed Shawqi. Each of these poets contributed unique styles, ideas, and themes that shaped the development of Arabic literature. The speakers also shared short examples and lines from their famous works to help the audience understand their significance.

The speakers explained that Arabic poetry touches many different themes. These include love, longing, romance, sadness, and elegy. Poets also describe animals such as lions and doves, using them as symbols of strength, beauty, or peace. Other poems focus on war, bravery, wisdom, satire, heroism, and emotional struggles. The wide variety of themes shows the richness and flexibility of the Arabic poetic tradition.

The speakers talked about the strong artistic abilities of Arab poets, especially their use of powerful and clear language. They explained how poets are able to combine strong words with deep meanings while keeping rhythm and musicality in their verses. They also highlighted a unique feature of Arabic poetry: the ability to mix opposite themes—such as love and war—within the same poem without losing clarity or emotion.

The session also included interesting stories about the lives of several well-known poets. These stories explained the personal events, emotions, or challenges that inspired them to write their most famous lines. Many audience members found these stories enjoyable because they helped them understand the deeper meaning behind the poetry.

The speakers compared different poems that discuss similar themes, such as sadness, admiration, or self-reflection. They explained how each poet uses different styles, images, and words to express the same idea. This helped the audience see the beauty of individual creativity within the shared tradition of Arabic poetry.

At the start of the event, poet Abdullah Al Anzi recited a special poem in which he expressed his love and respect for Sharjah. He praised the emirate for its strong support of culture, knowledge, literature, and creative thinking. He also thanked Sharjah for providing a home for poets, writers, and intellectuals from across the world.

The event ended with appreciation from the audience, who expressed their happiness at learning more about Arabic poetry. The session added a rich cultural touch to the Sharjah International Book Fair and highlighted Sharjah’s continued commitment to promoting literature and supporting creative communities.