The Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation concluded its 19th session under the gracious patronage of His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, represented by Minister of Information, Culture, and State for Youth Affairs, Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, at the opening ceremony. The event, held on Sunday, December 15th, aimed to honor the creative achievements of poets and scholars awarded during the 19th session. It paid a special tribute to the late poet Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain. The activities took place at the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Central Library for Arabic Poetry and continued for three days, concluding on Tuesday, December 17th.

The final day featured two literary panels and a concluding poetry evening. The closing ceremony also included the reading of a concluding statement by participants, comprising scholars, poets, and writers, presenting recommendations that emerged from their discussions. The event culminated in the honoring of pioneers who had collaborated with the late Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain during the early years of the Foundation's establishment. In acknowledgment of their contributions, and as a gesture of gratitude from the Foundation and its Chairman, Saud Abdulaziz Albabtain, these individuals were recognized for their role in the cultural vision of the late Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain. These distinguished individuals included:

·      Prof. Dr. Mohamed Hassan Abdullah from Egypt,

·      Prof. Dr. Mohsin Al-Kindi from Oman,

·      Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Al-Sa’afin from Jordan,

·      Prof. Dr. Saleh Al-Ghareeb from Qatar,

·      Prof. Dr. Abdelkader Faidouh from Algeria

Recommendations

The committee tasked with formulating recommendations, consisting of: Prof. Dr. Me’jeb Al-Adwani, Prof. Dr. Ziyad Al-Zou’bi, Prof. Dr. Nour Al-Huda Badees, Dr. Maysaa Al-Khawaja, and Prof. Dr. Saleh Al-Ghamdi, recommended the following:

§  Continue holding the event annually.

§  Expand the scope of the award and the conference to include various poetic forms.

§  Compile the testimonies presented during this conference and others, publishing them in a book.

§  Recommend the inclusion of a parallel cultural program highlighting historical and tourist sites.

§  Work on translating the abstracts of research presented at the conferences into English.

§  Continue the tradition established by the Foundation of hosting cultural gatherings in major capitals around the world.

The statement concluded by congratulating the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation on the "success of this celebratory event."

Poetic Conclusion

The culmination of the nineteenth session of the Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain Cultural Foundation was marked by poetry. The final day witnessed the third poetry evening, and what added to the brilliance of the night was its coinciding with the celebration of the International Day of Arabic Language. The poets seized this occasion to elevate the audience, soaring through the realms of poetry, weaving elegant verses, and harmonizing with the sweetness of the Arabic language.

The poetry evening, which was chaired by Dr. Ahmad Al-Faraj from Kuwait, featured the participation of poets:

• Muhammad Al-Breiki from the UAE

• Dr. Ahmad Belboula from Egypt

• Iyad Hisham from Iraq

• Hossam Shdeifat from Jordan

• Dr. Dala Baroud from Kuwait

• Abdullah Al-Failkawi from Kuwait

• Shaqra Madkhali from Saudi Arabia

• Fares Harram from Iraq.

The poets during the evening delivered deeply moving verses, mostly elegies in remembrance of the late poet Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain, expressing sentiments of sorrow and loyalty, while reflecting on his achievements and contributions. Alongside these tributes, their poetry also encompassed themes of love, patriotism, and reflections on reality, showcasing a rich diversity of expressions.

To begin, poet Dr. Ahmed Belboula presented an elegy titled "Albabtainiya" in honor of the late poet Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain. Through this heartfelt poem, he demonstrated exceptional skill in crafting deeply resonant and meaningful images, filled with humane and loyal values.

Poetess Shaqra Madkhali from Saudi Arabia wove with the sweetness of the Arabic language, offering a poetic scent rich in both meaning and emotion.

Poet Abdullah Al-Filakawi transported the audience into a journey of memories, blending the sorrow of loss with the longing for the late Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain, while embracing the hope placed in his son Saud Albabtain.

As for poet Hesham Shdeifat from Jordan, he read a poem that showcased the richness of his language. The poem was titled "Sīdat Al-Raml wa Al-Mūsīqā" (Lady of Sand and Music).

The poets continued to shine, and Iraqi poet Iyad Hashim delivered a poem titled "Ya Ramal Al-Kuwait" (O Kuwait’s Sands), showcasing his lyrical talent and deep connection to the land of Kuwait.

The grand finale was with the poet of humanism, who always soars in the realms of creativity and emotional depth through his poetry and eloquent expressions. As always, poet Mohammad Al-Bereiki navigated the path of distinction and creativity in various Arab and international poetic gatherings, weaving his verses with the most melodic and heartfelt tones. Throughout the evening, he transported the audience into luminous creative realms, touching hearts directly with his profound and emotional verses. Among his contributions were a poignant elegy titled "Fi Al-Babtain Yuqal" (About Albabtain They Say), a reflective poem titled "Ala Lisaan Abi" (On My Father’s Tongue), and a deeply resonant piece titled "Hasir Nabet Fi Al-Raml" (A Mat Growing in the Sand).