Abu dhabi: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania celebrated the launch of the 11th edition of the Nouakchott Festival of Arabic Poetry.

According to Emirates News Agency, the festival, organised by the Sharjah Department of Culture over three days, features participation from Mauritanian poets, intellectuals, and writers, alongside African poets representing Senegal, Mali, and The Gambia. The opening ceremony took place at the Conference Palace in Nouakchott, attended by prominent figures including Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, and El Houssein Ould Medou, Mauritania's Minister of Culture, Arts, Communication and Relations with Parliament.

The event commenced with a documentary highlighting achievements made in 2025 by the Nouakchott House of Poetry, showcasing poetry evenings, literary seminars, forums, cultural dialogues, and new publications. Al Owais, in his address, emphasized the festival's milestone entry into its second decade, marking it as a platform for celebrating Arabic poetry and nurturing young poetic talents in Mauritania and neighboring African countries.

Al Owais expressed gratitude to the Mauritanian Ministry of Culture, highlighting the strong relations between the UAE and Mauritania. Ould Medou welcomed attendees, praising the festival's role in celebrating Arabic poetry and fostering cultural exchange. He acknowledged the ongoing success of the Nouakchott House of Poetry as a platform for young talents and a renewed arena for literary dialogue.

Dr Abdullah Al Sayed, Director of the Nouakchott House of Poetry, noted the decade-long contribution of the House, supported by Mauritania's authorities and the local community's attachment to poetry. He emphasized the initiative's success in fostering creativity and learning among poets from Mali, Senegal, and The Gambia.

The festival also honored Mauritanian cultural figures, recognizing their contributions to the cultural scene. An exhibition featuring publications by the Sharjah Department of Culture attracted a strong public turnout, adding to the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the festival's opening day.