Qatar University celebrates World Poetry Day
- 3 years ago
On the occasion of World Poetry Day, Qatar University (QU) has marked the day in order to enhance and promote the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry across the globe.
Professors from QU’s Arabic Language Department marked this day by expressing their opinion on what poetry means to them and how they were benefitted from this literature.
UNESCO celebrated March 21 as World Poetry Day, which focused on raising awareness on the significance of this treasured form of expression. Practised throughout history, poetry has been an essential way to communicate and to exhibit one’s linguistic and cultural identity.
Dr Rami Abu Shehab, lecturer of Arabic Language, expounded that the power of technology and the blurring of boundaries between reality and dreams have made a confusion in comprehending the world. He believes "we have lost the primitiveness of language and poetry is waiting for the next revolution to regain that spirit".
Dr Mahrous Mohamed, assistant professor of Arabic Language, stated: “The poetry system begins by replicating previous great poets in weight and rhyme. As time passes on, the novice poet discovers that he sloughs off in imitation. He starts flying in his poet world with his own words and dictionary and the people recognise him for his own, unique poetic style.”
Dr Loui Khalil, associate professor of Arabic Language, highlighted that, “Poetry has always been a record for Arabs as they chronicled their life, culture and attitude towards the world and which continues till today. However, poetry is not exclusive to Arabs; all civilisations have found poetry as a space for expression and a fantasy place in which they can secure their place in this universe.”
According to Dr Khalil, the poetry’s stand in today’s era has fallen slightly compared to other arts, but this does not – and should not – reduce its place among the readers and scholars. In Arab culture, Arabs have a very special relationship with poetry in the historical level and cultural level. To harness this relationship, academic institutions must give attention to poetry and endorse it to return to its former glory.
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