
House of Poetry in Sharjah organises a poetry evening
Gratitude and Welcome
Dr. Ahmed Aqili opened the evening by warmly thanking His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for his unwavering support of Arabic language and poetry. He emphasized that under the Ruler's visionary leadership, Sharjah has become a shining beacon of culture and poetry, nurturing creativity and elevating literary expression everywhere.
Spiritual Opening Reading
The readings were opened by poet Mohamed Al-Mutayyam, who presented texts that soared through spiritual and self-reflective spaces. He began with a spiritual piece titled "The Journey," in which the fragrant prophetic biography was beautifully evoked, using a subtle and captivating symbolic style. Among his recitations were lines from this inspiring work.
In conclusion, poet Mohammed Al Buraiki honoured the participating poets and the evening's presenter.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Gulf Today
7 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Small is beautiful: DIAC show hosts big art on little canvases
Early last month, Dubai International Art Centre (DIAC) hosted the second edition of its group art show titled 8'x8' Beauty in Unity. BiU marked a significant milestone in the UAE's cultural and creative calendar, in the number of artworks shown and the response generated. The exhibition was held for the second consecutive year, without a break, and drew hundreds of art lovers, collectors and industry dignitaries; it also received a World Record award from Talent Record Book, for exhibiting the highest number of small canvases in a single show. The record-winning show consisted of 692 individual artworks, each sized at merely 20x20 cm; it was a celebration of artistic capacity in miniature form! This year's edition witnessed the participation of 102 talented artists from diverse nationalities, showcasing styles ranging from realism and abstraction to Arabic calligraphy, digital art, and photography. The outcome too was commendable — over 150 artworks were sold, underscoring the event's commercial and creative success. The exhibition was inaugurated by renowned Emirati artist Faisal Abdul Qader, who said that 'it's inspiring to see such powerful creativity captured within such a small canvas. Each piece tells a story — concise yet impactful.' The event was also graced by eminent personalities and supporters of the arts, including Emirati artist Ahmed Rukni, Indian art legend Anjini Prakash Laitu, water colour champion Atul Panase and art doyen Sultana Kazim, each of whose presence lent prestige and encouragement to the participating artists. DIAC Chairperson Diyali Sen Bhalla spoke about the vision behind the show: '8'x8' Beauty in Unity is more than just an art exhibition — it is a growing cultural movement,' she said. 'It provides a unique platform for artists to demonstrate extraordinary talent within compact compositions. These mini masterpieces appeal to a broad spectrum of buyers, making art more accessible while still maintaining their soul and uniqueness.' The response to Season 2 has resonated in a way that DIAC received multiple requests to organise Season 3, on a larger scale. Plans are underway to host the next chapter in November 2025. 'It promises an even bigger celebration of creative diversity and global unity through art,' said Diyali Sen Bhalla. Artists with their certificates. Season 2 participating artists included Adila Shoaib, Ahmad Al Awadhi Rukni, Alemayehu Goshime, Alia Amin, Amancia Sandra Menezes, Amanda Ovington, Amna Mohammed Ameen, Anastasie Akibode, Anirban Midya, Anjini Prakash Laitu, Anjum Daud, Ankisha Jhawar, Anuj Sarkar, Anum Anwar Ali, Aquila Abdel Rahim, Arezoo Rahmdel, Arti Bhatia, Asiya Hassham Malik, Asma Seyed, Avantika Sharma, Avijit Majumder, Beena Samuel, Bhakti Ghaghda, Bhumika Maniyar, Chandralekha Dubey, Debra S Mascarenhas, Deepa Rajesh, Deepti Sharma, Dheepa David, Diyali Bhalla, Dr. Poonam Chauhan, Dr. Devisree S, Elaheh Baghaiesaien, Elahehsadat Mirafzal, Erum Durrani, Farivash Rajaei Alawadhi, Fathima Shihnaz Ahamed, Gülüm Erzincan, Hanna Alexandra Adoro Tepace, Jagruti Sanjay, Jaimee Felysse Almendares Reyes, Jamila Patanwala, Jenny C Ang, Jyoti Devdhar, Jyoti Sethi, Komal Jhala, Kriscia Bianca Pascual, Kunchay Visweswar, Lara AbouKhaled, Latha Narayanan, Leila Ramezani, Lita Mathews, Mahboobeh Shahnavaz, Mahi Tawfik, Mahi Wasfy, Mahnaz Ghafouri, Mahnaz Rafiq Javid, Mahshid Mirab, Maitha Shahdoor, Malika Rahman, Mary Ann Pascual, Marya Adnan, Mini Suboth, Mona Biswarupa Mohanty, Mrinmay C Sebastian, Muhammad Habib Akram, Nanditha Unnikrishnan, Neema Rajesh, Nithya Rajendiran, Pari Sagar, Pinki Sanyal, Radha Bhatia, Ranjisha Raghavan, Rashmi Parakkal, Reeta Kumari, Renuka Sanjeev, Rubab Zahra, Sahira Banu, Sameena Firdose, Sandeep Soni, Sandhya S. Iyer, Sara Masoumi, Seema Haque, Sibel Yavuz, Sona Minasyan, Soobika Fawad, Stuti Parikh, Sunanda Jain, Sunita Vasanth, Suva Mishra, Swaraj Jawale, Trupti Rele, Ursula Musch, Vandana Sudhir, Varghese Naiju, Varsha Khatri, Vasanthi Kannan, Vinu Aravind, Yamini Maria, Yoshita Ahmed, and Zoharath Suha. An AI overview of small canvas paintings says that 'they offer a great way to experiment with art, add pops of colour, and personalise small spaces.' AI goes on to prod artists to 'consider painting abstract designs, landscapes, or even portraits on miniature canvases. You can also create a gallery wall with multiple small pieces, or use them as decorative elements on shelves or tables.' Diyali Sen Bhalla, DIAC Chairperson. A list of ideas for small canvas formats is provided: abstract art patterns and designs, which are popular and versatile for small canvases; geometric patterns which can be easily executed on a small scale; Nature-inspired works such as painting flowers, trees, sunsets, or seascapes for a calming and familiar subject; celestial bodies where one can paint stars, moons, planets, or galaxies for unique and visually appealing pieces; miniature portraits which captures a person's likeness or facial expression on a small canvas; animal paintings of one's favourite animal or whimsical creatures; quotes and text which combine painting with typography carrying inspirational quotes or short phrases; or miniature landscapes that capture the beauty of Nature on a small scale, like a serene forest scene or a vibrant sunset. Artist John Lovett says that 'once I got started on these small paintings I couldn't stop. They were such a lot of fun - no pressure to produce a masterpiece, just quick, exciting experiments that revealed numerous options I would have otherwise never have considered.' He found it surprising how much detail and subtlety could be packed into a small space. 'Experiments with colour options, texture treatments and composition arrangements could be carried out quickly and effectively,' he says. Talent Record Book celebrates and showcases exceptional talents and remarkable achievements of both individuals and groups from around the world. The platform serves as a hub for talent recognition and inspiration, where individuals and groups alike can share their unique abilities and accomplishments.


Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Sandooq Al Watan's summer programmes attract 50,000 school, university students
6 July 2025 15:00 ABU DHABI (WAM)Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of Sandooq Al Watan, stated that the third summer programmes, which commence tomorrow and run until July 31, will attract 50,000 school and university students from across the Nahyan bin Mubarak said that the programmes — held in 54 venues across government and private schools, as well as cultural and youth centers—aim to reach 50,000 participants from school and university emphasised that these programmes embody the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in building a strong and sustainable national identity that resonates with the younger generations, serving as both a shield and a motivation for confirmed that the ultimate goal is to build future generations who believe in their national identity, are proud of their Arabic language—'the language of the Quran', and who embrace values of belonging and loyalty through a noble message delivered in innovative also noted that the programs will offer rich content through hundreds of entertainment, sports, artistic, and knowledge-based activities. For the first time this year, more than 30 theatrical performances will be presented by a select group of UAE creatives and artists on the summer programmes stages. In addition, hundreds of events related to Arabic calligraphy, heritage, storytelling, creative games, and daily competitions with instant prizes will be organised—alongside a diverse range of sports games. Yasser Al Gargawi as Director General of Sandooq Al Watan, said the programmes target age group students aged 8–16, divided into three main categories: - Group 1: Ages 8–10 (focus on physical activities and short stories)- Group 2: Ages 11–13 (focus on interactive discussions and simple analysis) - Group 3: Ages 14–16 (focus on small projects and volunteer initiatives)


Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Sharjah 24
Arab Cultural Club connects Arabic and Romanian cultures
Session highlights Attendees included Ali Al-Mughni, Vice Chairman of the Club, and several cultural figures and researchers in translation and culture. The session began with a recorded message from Dr Omar Abdulaziz, welcoming the guests and discussing his long-standing friendship with Professor Gregory, emphasising Gregory's love for Arab culture and his commitment to translating Arabic thought directly from the language. Cultural dialogue Dr Abdulaziz talked about his long relationship with Professor Gregory, marked by continuous discussions on culture, society, and the representations of the "other" in both Arab and Romanian cultures, particularly regarding popular tales and dialects. He noted that some of Gregory's most famous translations include the Quran into Romanian, as well as works like "Mishkat al-Anwar" by Al-Ghazali and "Hayy ibn Yaqzan" by Ibn Tufail. Questions on translation experience Dr Abdulaziz raised several issues about Gregory's experience with Arabic translation, starting with why a Romanian boy from the countryside became interested in the Arabic language at the end of the last century. They discussed the relationship between translation and culture, the matter of Arabic dialects in translation, and the influence of Arab culture on the Romanian language. Professor Gregory's journey Gregory shared his story about his relationship with the Arabic language, recalling how, as a young man in a remote Romanian village, he was captivated by Arabic radio broadcasts. This interest led him to study Arabic in high school and later specialize in it at university. His work in Libya and Iraq further refined his Arabic skills, where he began translating between Romanian and Arabic. The importance of cultural knowledge He emphasized that a translator must have a deep understanding of the culture of the language they are translating from; otherwise, they risk significant errors. Language carries culture, and without grasping the cultural meanings behind words, one may only understand the dictionary definitions, which often fall short. Dialectical considerations Gregory noted that Arabic dialects are integral to the Arabic language and cultural fabric, appearing in both spoken and written texts. He currently leads an organization for Arabic dialects at the European level, promoting the academic study of languages, including Arabic. Historical context of Arabic studies in Romania He explained that interest in the Arabic language in Romania began in the 1950s, within the context of the Non-Aligned Movement, and grew after the fall of the Soviet Union. The Arabic language department at Bucharest University has since become one of the most successful departments. Arabic influence on Romanian Language Gregory pointed out that no linguistic system in the world is unaffected by Arabic, noting that Romanian has absorbed Arabic terms due to Ottoman presence for over five centuries, citing examples like "amanah" and "bazar." He also mentioned the impact of European translations of Arabic philosophy and thought on the Romanian language. Arab representation in Romanian imagination Finally, he described how Arabs are viewed in Romanian popular imagination, often reminiscent of the tales from "One Thousand and One Nights," embodying beauty, love, music, gardens, and beautiful palaces, creating a positive and enchanting image.