Poetry News

Poetry competition to help mark Al Jazeera’s 15th anniversary

By Harriet Staff

According to the Gulf Times, Al Jazeera will hold an Arabic poetry contest as part of the festivities celebrating Al Jazeera’s 15th anniversary in October and November:

“Poetry is considered the most preferred medium to express feelings and aspirations. Hence the committee saw that it is most suitable for the current circumstances to give voice for the young people who have initiated the move for freedom. The committee would accept contributions from all poets below 40 years of age. Arabic poetry could be in any form – written in standard Arabic or colloquial dialects that could be understood by all.”

[Mounir Daymi, executive office manager at the director general office and head of the supreme committee organising the festivities] said that the committee has received a large number of contributions but they would select only three of the poets who would come to Doha to recite their winning poems. The committee has also launched a website for this purpose called the Poet of Freedom; poets can upload their contributions, along with a video of their own recitation. Contributions will be accepted until September 20.

Poetry will be an essential part of the festivities. Consequently, there will be a TV programme aired by Al Jazeera, stretching over three episodes, each for an hour.

During each episode, four winning poets would present their poems. Three winners will be selected from the 12 poets who reach the finals.

Posted in Poetry News on Wednesday, September 14th, 2011 by Harriet Staff.