On stage at the event.

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Poetic Heart, an annual poetry symposium promoting peace, harmony, and universal love is an initiative by SGI Gulf and eminent Emirati poet Dr. Shihab Ghanem. It is a platform for poetry, music and youthful spirit, bringing together renowned Emirati and international poets, talented student poets from schools across the UAE, and the flair of People of Determination, to celebrate poetry and music.

Held every year for the past 12 years, Poetic Heart this year was held around the theme of “Rekindling values and co-existence”, with a message of reigniting human values of respect and co-existence in a world just emerging from the pandemic. SGI Gulf in association with Dubai Knowledge Village and Zabeel Ladies Club played host to the event, held over two days on (Feb. 9 – 10). It included poetry and music from 40 student poets as well as from People of Determination on the first day and presentations from 13 eminent UAE and international poets on the second day.

SGI Gulf’s own chorus group Naseem also offered performances on both days. Day 1 of the symposium was held at Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies (EIBFS) auditorium and witnessed participation of Abu Dhabi Indian School; Mayoor Private School, Abu Dhabi; Private International English School, Abu Dhabi; Diyafah International School, Abu Dhabi; New Indian Model School, Dubai; GEMS Wellington International School, Dubai; Amity School, Dubai and GEMS Our Own English High School, among others.

There were poetry recitations from renowned Emirati poets like Wael Al Sayegh, Shaikha Mutairi and Italian poet, narrator and musician, Claudio Pozzani. Poems written by Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, a Japanese Buddhist philosopher, educator, author and nuclear disarmament advocate as well as the founding president of Soka Gakkai International, were also recited by Dr. Akash Keiji Ouchi.

Held in partnership with Emirates NBD’s CSR initiative, Together Limitless, a platform that commits to advocating for People of Determination, the event also witnessed poetry, performances and participation from students of Tender Hearts Arena, Manzil Centre, SNF Development Center and Al Noor Centre for Persons with Disabilities.

Speaking about the initiative, Mrs. Safia Bari, Director of Special Needs Future Development Center, said: “Poetic Heart has been an event close to our hearts at SNF and it has always been an incredible opportunity for our students to perform in front of a huge audience. The event helps to showcase and unleash the talent of our special young adults, and we are grateful to the organising committee for being supportive year after year.”

Day 2 held at Zabeel Ladies Club witnessed poetry recitations in different languages from poets from Mexico, Greece, India, KSA, Egypt, Italy, and Japan. They included Dr. Shihab Ghanem, Dr. Khalil Ali Bouni, Wael Al Sayegh, Shaikha Mutairi, Silvana Salmanpour, Mohammed Jilwah, Sony Velukkuran, Dr. Dimitris P. Kraniotis, Claudio Pozzani, Dr. Pushpa Satyasheil, Dr. Akash Keiji Ouchi (who recited poems of Dr. Daisaku Ikeda), Dr. Muhammad Badran and Angelica Santa Olaya. Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, inaugurated and graced the event on the second day as chief guest.

He said that “poets are ambassadors who convey the cultures of their countries to other nations. In the Poetic Heart festival, the poet-ambassadors meet in Dubai to exchange their creative writings in a brotherly way that increases international understanding and tolerance.” Continuing the tradition of a new book launch in every edition of Poetic Heart, this year the book ‘Sin Tan Siquiera Un Sancho’ or ‘Without even a Sancho’, a collection of poems written by Dr. Shihab Ghanem and translated into Spanish by Aurora Humaran, Leticia (Letishia) Monge and Prof.

Angelica Santa Olaya, with English and Arabic translations by Dr. Shihab Ghanem, was also released. Talking about the initiative, Claudio Pozzani said: “This is the third time that I have participated and been a part of Poetic Heart, and every time I come, I am impressed by the passion of the poets and the students who participate as well the organisers who have been working tirelessly every year to bring together such talent on the same platform. My experience has been amazing as I feel even the attendees are very attentive and passionate in this region towards the art forms of poetry and music.”

SGI Gulf Chairperson is Suresh Premkumar and SGI Gulf spokesperson is Anishka Mehra, who noted that “nearly 700 students attended the first day of the event, cheering on their schoolmates and supporting all the performances with youthful enthusiasm. This is what the Poetic Heart platform aims to do – build bridges with different communities and unite our hearts through our shared love of poetry and music.”

She underlined that “Poetic Heart endeavours to continue to expand its reach to a greater number of schools and educational establishments, to share our common beliefs as one humanity, and to give voice to an ever-growing expression of our shared interest in a unified and peaceful world.” She said the organisation was hopeful that the event would one day expand to include activities such as poetry writing workshops, competitions and short talks from a wide range of poets and musicians both local and international.

“The response we continue to receive from our growing list of partners and supporters every year inspires us to do our best to achieve these aspirational goals,” she added.