Syrian Minister of Culture: Suad Al-Sabah is the Sun of Kuwait and a Beacon of Arabic Literature
Syrian Minister of Culture Mohammad Yassin Saleh announced, at the opening ceremony of the first edition of the Damascus International Arabic Poetry Festival held at the Damascus Opera House, that a commemorative symposium honoring Dr. and poet Suad Al-Asbah will take place this evening at the Opera House. The symposium will feature Ali Al-Masoudi, director of the Suad Al-Asbah Center for Culture and Creativity; Dr. Faiz Al-Dayeh, an academic and critic of Arabic literature; and writer Dr. Nizar Al-Aani. The symposium is distinguished by the fact that its speakers experienced the poet’s journey firsthand. Ali Al-Masoudi has had direct, daily access to Dr. Suad Al-Asbah’s creative output and her diverse cultural activities. Similarly, Dr. Nizar Al-Aani worked for years at the Suad Al-Asbah Center for Culture and Creativity, closely observing her various creative works, activities, and interests. Dr. Faiz Al-Dayeh also experienced Dr. Suad’s poetic journey up close during the many years he served as a professor of Arabic literature in Kuwait.
The first edition of the Damascus International Arabic Poetry Festival kicked off last Sunday on the stage of the Opera House, in a cultural event that united literary creativity and restored to the city, long associated with poetry, its status as a beacon of Arab culture. The festival features 55 poets, writers, and lecturers from 16 Arab countries, with a program including poetry evenings, intellectual and critical symposia, celebrating the Arabic verse and its role in consolidating cultural identity and enhancing dialogue among Arab creators.
The opening ceremony began with a visual presentation titled “Damascus and Poetry,” which highlighted the historical status of the Syrian capital in the evolution of Arabic poetry. This was followed by the performance of the “Syrian Verse Song,” which received enthusiastic approval from the audience for its tribute to Syrian governorates and the unity of geography and cultural identity.
Minister of Culture Mohammad Yassin Saleh then delivered a speech, affirming that the launch of the first edition of the Damascus International Arabic Poetry Festival marks Damascus’s return to its natural position as the capital of Arabic poetry, and signals a new phase in which Syria reclaims its cultural presence and pioneering role in hosting creativity and free expression after years of deprivation, repression, and attempts to distort its cultural image. He noted that Sham (Greater Syria) has regained its free voice and its platform that gathers poets and creators from across the Arab world.
Saleh pointed out that the festival honors several Arab poets, critics, and thinkers who have played a prominent role in serving Arab culture and held honorable stances toward Syria, including Lebanese poet Shawqi Bazei, critic Dr. Khaledoun Al-Sham’a, Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghadhami, Sheikh poet Suad Al-Asbah, Dr. Hassan Al-Nu’mah, poet Meshal Al-Saadi, and writer Ali Al-Masoudi, alongside honoring all those who stood by Syria among Arab poets and writers.
Saleh also revealed the launch of several new cultural initiatives, most notably the Shami Al-Burda Award for Prophetic Praise, and the Damascus Sword Award for Arabic Poetry. He also announced the launch of the “Diwan of Syrian Poets” website, which compiles the works of Syrian poets and is continuously updated, as well as the establishment of a committee for Nabati poetry, affirming the authenticity of this poetic genre in both rural and urban settings.
The Damascus International Arabic Poetry Festival will continue until August 7, featuring a program of poetry evenings, lectures, symposia, and cultural and artistic events, with participation from poets, critics, and thinkers from various Arab countries. The event aims to enhance the presence of Arabic poetry, expand spaces for cultural dialogue, and provide opportunities for encounters among Arab poetic experiences in Damascus.
