Abu Dhabi: The “Poetry Nights” Majlis, a key cultural program at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center, hosted two evenings dedicated to poetry. The first evening highlighted the art of haiku in the Gulf region, while the second evening celebrated the work of the late Iraqi poet Lamia Abbas Amara.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the second evening focused on Lamia Abbas Amara, a significant figure in modern Iraqi poetry. The event featured a blend of poetry, music, and singing, with poet Arwa Al-Samarrai participating by reading and discussing Lamia’s works. Arwa showcased Lamia’s ability to write in both classical Arabic and the colloquial Iraqi dialect, which helped transform many of her poems into popular songs, including “I Miss You, River.” Artist Sultan Marei enhanced the event with his musical performances of Lamia’s poems, accompanied by oud player Mohammed Saad. Producer and director Hussein Mahmoud Al-Anzi moderated the evening, offering insights into the poet’s cultural and humanistic contributions.

The “Poetry Nights” evenings at the book fair underscore the importance of poetry as a dynamic cultural expression, allowing visitors to engage with both local and global poetic traditions.

The first evening, titled “Haiku Poetry in the Gulf Poetic Scene,” featured Saudi writer Mohammed Mansour Al Fadel, who explored the traditional Japanese poetic form of haiku. The literary dialogue, moderated by writer Musa Muharraq, highlighted the origins of haiku in the Arabian Gulf. Dr. Khairiya Al-Saqqaf was noted as a pioneer of haiku in Saudi Arabia, inspiring other Gulf poets such as Ahmed Al-Qaisi and Abdullah Al-Anzi.