In a significant move to nurture young literary talent, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has launched the “Youth Poetry Lab,” an initiative aimed at discovering and developing the skills of Emirati youth aged 14 to 18 in the realm of popular poetry. This creative platform is organised by the Abu Dhabi Centre for the Arabic Language and designed to foster the next generation of poets through structured training and mentorship.
Objectives and Vision of the Programme
The programme seeks to prepare a new wave of young poets by engaging them in a comprehensive training journey supervised by a select group of experienced poets and specialists. The focus will be on honing their poetic abilities and enhancing creative potential, culminating in a poetry evening as part of the “Nights of Poetry: The Singing Word” event during the upcoming Al Ain Book Festival, scheduled from November 17 to 23 at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.
Supporting Cultural Heritage
Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Centre for the Arabic Language, emphasised the programme’s cultural significance: “The programme reinforces the position of poetry as one of the main components of national cultural identity and ensures its resonance among the younger generations. It provides an ideal environment for budding talents, allowing them to learn from the experiences of established poets, thus contributing to a comprehensive system that supports promising talents and enables them to showcase their creativity to the public.”
Investment in Young Creatives
Al Tunaiji added, “We believe that investing in young creatives is an investment in the future of culture. It plays a crucial role in enriching cultural discourse and helps cultivate a generation capable of renewing and evolving poetic expressions, conveying meaningful messages, and preserving the essence and authenticity of poetry as one of the oldest and most esteemed forms of human expression.”
Programme Activities and Requirements
The programme will feature three training workshops held over the weekend of September 4-6 at Al Muwaij’i Palace in Al Ain. These workshops will include practical sessions focusing on developing poetry texts, refining creative styles, and building each participant’s unique poetic voice. Additionally, training will cover skills in recitation and performance before an audience, guided by poet and media personality Aida bin Masoud and artist Marri Al-Hilayan.
To participate, applicants must submit three original poems, previously unpublished in any programme or competition, with each poem not containing fewer than eight lines. Participants are required to attend all workshops and training sessions to fully benefit from this enriching experience.