Riyadh – Asdaf News:
The first European Night of Poetry was held celebrating literature and music at the Saudi Music Hub, Wednesday, here.
The special event featured recitals of various renowned pieces of European and Arabic poetry, inspired by the designation of the passing year as “The Year of Arabic Poetry” in Saudi Arabia by the Ministry of Culture.
Throughout the evening, the poetry was recited in eight different languages including Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish. All European poems were also recited in Arabic. Besides allowing the attendees to emerge themselves into the beautiful world of poetry, the European Night of Poetry also featured musical performances by the Saudi Music Hub.
Commenting on the event, the EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, H.E. Christophe Farnaud said: “What better way to celebrate the passing of the Year of Arabic Poetry in Saudi Arabia than through the recital of renowned European and Arabic Poetry? If Europe is home to several famous poets and writers, Arabic poetry has left its own prestigious mark on culture and literary traditions. I am glad that our event could also highlight beautiful Saudi poetry. On behalf of the various European partners involved in the organisation of this event, I am thankful to Saudi Music Hub for hosting and contributing to the event.”
Mr. Khaled M. AlKhaldi, Head of the Saudi Music Hub in Riyadh, added from his side: “The Saudi Music Hub, its artists, faculties and students are grateful for the cultural bridge that is formed through the arts and the relationships that are formed because of it. This night offers a balanced opportunity of sharing some of our culture while also embracing the history and culture of the participating European counties. I would like to thank the EU ambassador, His Excellency Christophe Farnaud for leading this initiative and opening our night alongside the contribution and support of the European Union National Institutes for Culture cluster in Saudi Arabia, The Goethe institute, the British council, Alliance Française and the Music Commission for making this a remarkable evening.”
The European Night of Poetry was organised by the European Union National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC) cluster in Saudi Arabia, specifically the Goethe Institut, Alliance Française, British Council, the Embassies of France, Italy, Austria, Spain and Germany as well as the European Union Delegation, in close collaboration with the Embassies of Poland and Portugal and the Saudi Music Hub.
