The second session of the 14th Ramadan Majlis, organised by the Sharjah Press Club, took place in Aljada. His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, attended the event.
The session, titled “Culture and Heritage in Arabic Literature,” featured Saudi poet and writer Hamoud Al Sahoud. The discussion, moderated by Ali Al Alyani, explored how Arabic literature, especially poetry, has preserved cultural and historical heritage. Al Sahoud examined the poetic traditions of praise, satire, and love poetry. He illustrated their evolution with examples from famous Arab poets.
Al Sahoud explained that Arabic poetry serves as a historical record and source of pride. He shared how poets incorporated myths and legendary figures like Antarah Ibn Shaddad into their works. They turned real-life figures into symbols of bravery and valor. He further explained how poets have always used folklore and elements from their environment to enrich their verses.
A key part of the discussion focused on the connection between folk and classical poetry. Al Sahoud highlighted the ongoing relevance of many ancient themes in today’s poetry. Reflecting on his journey from folk poetry to classical poetry, Al Sahoud noted that both forms share common linguistic and thematic elements. He also spoke about how unique words in Arabic poetry often reflect the poet’s environment.
Another point of discussion was the role of women in Arabic poetry. Initially, women were primarily represented in themes of love and longing. However, Al Sahoud emphasized how female poets expanded their contributions across various genres. He encouraged modern poets to connect deeply with literature and write for the people. He asserted that “Poetry lives through its audience and fades without them.”
Al Sahoud also paid tribute to modern Arabic poets such as Mahmoud Darwish, Nizar Qabbani, Nazik Al-Malaika, and Ahmed Shawqi. These poets built upon classical traditions while introducing innovations, including prose poetry. He stressed the importance of criticism in the creative process, noting that great poets like Al-Mutanabbi welcomed critique.
The session concluded with Al Sahoud reciting some of his folk poems and engaging with questions from the audience.
Before the main session, Kuwaiti content creator Fares Ashour led a side session on “When Digital Content Leads You to Books.” Ashour shared his insights on digital storytelling. He emphasized the importance of persistence, hard work, and continuous learning in building a successful career in content creation.
The event saw distinguished figures like Asma bin Taliah, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Executive Council, and Salem Ali Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah Municipal Council. Other notable attendees included Mohamed Hassan Khalaf, Director-General of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, and Tariq Saeed Allay, Director-General of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau.
