Emerging Emirati poets reinvent poetic styles

As part of its centennial celebrations in July, Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) hosted a literary evening titled ‘Contemporary Poetry’ at the House of Wisdom, Sharjah.

- Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The event brought together an audience of emerging and aspiring poets and cultural professionals to engage in dialogue around contemporary poetic expression and the evolving role of literature in Emirati society.

CONTEMPORARY POETRY AND EVOLVING EXPRESSION:

The evening commenced with a panel discussion titled ‘Horizons of Writers and Poets’, featuring two young poets, Ahmed Bin Sulayem and Meera AlBusmait. The conversation explored how emerging Emirati voices are reimagining poetic expression by drawing on personal memory, cultural identity, and a deliberate departure from conventional forms to forge new creative directions.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, known for his free-form poetic style, shared insights into his approach to writing, He said: “I write in complete freedom, refusing to confine myself to any predetermined form or convention, My words are shaped by the legacy of my heritage, by a deep pride in being Emirati, and by the stories of defiance, adventure, and resilience that echo through our history. I believe poetry is an act of truth-telling, and my truth carries the influence of every book I have ever read, every memory I have lived.”