Rabat – Moroccan poet Khouloud Bennaser has qualified for the final of the 8th annual Prince of Poets (Amir Al-Sho’ara’) competition in Abu Dhabi. Bennaser was one of 20 poets selected from hundreds of candidates.
The Moroccan poet won in the initial stage of the competition, placing her in the top four. She competed with a poem called “Ballerina.” She is now facing Abdelmounim Hassan from Mali, Ibtihal Mustafa from Sudan, and Hani Abdeljawad from Jordan in the final.
“Poetry is a beautiful space—an escape. It helps me face and live gracefully,” said Bennaser.
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According to the foundation, the first stage of the competition will be broadcast live on Tuesday, as part of its strategy to preserve cultural heritage and promote interest in Classical Arabic literature and poetry.
The Cultural Programs and Heritage Festivals Committee of Abu Dhabi organized the first Prince of Poets event in 2007. The competition takes its name from the nickname of the famous Egyptian poet Ahmed Shawqi.
