UAE Pavilion Celebrates Literary and Artistic Talent at El Jadida Horse Show
The UAE's cultural presence in Morocco has been marked by a distinctive celebration of poetry and visual arts, honouring both emerging creative talent and the enduring heritage of Arabian horsemanship.
The UAE Pavilion at the 17th El Jadida Horse Show has distinguished itself through an ambitious cultural programme that brings together poetic expression, visual artistry and the celebrated traditions of Arabian horses. Running through 18 October at the Mohammed VI Exhibition Centre in El Jadida, the initiative reflects a graceful synthesis of heritage appreciation and contemporary creative nurture.
Organised jointly by the Emirates Arabian Horse Society and the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the dual competitions have drawn considerable acclaim and participation. The endeavour seeks to foster literary and artistic creativity whilst strengthening the cultural bonds between the United Arab Emirates and Morocco through shared appreciation of equestrian heritage and traditional artistic forms.
The Horse Poetry Competition, now in its second edition, received remarkable engagement from Moroccan poets, with the judging panel evaluating numerous submissions of considerable merit. Fifteen poets advanced to the final round, where they presented verses inspired by the Arabian horse and its profound significance within Arab cultural heritage, exploring themes of authenticity and horsemanship with evident sophistication.
The competition honoured five distinguished poets for their contributions. Omar Sayem received first place recognition for his composition Al Adiyat, with Mohammed Abijo securing second place for Qalaq Yahdinuh and Hamid Al Shamsadi claiming third for Fi Khatiri. Mohammed Baydan and Mohammed Boukrim completed the five recipients. The judging panel, chaired by Dr Mohammed Hajjou and inclusive of poet Sheikha Al Mutairi and Dr Mourad El Kadiri, President of the House of Poetry in Morocco, brought considerable expertise to the evaluation process.
The Young Artists Competition, held within the exhibition’s Children’s Village, demonstrated a complementary commitment to nurturing emerging visual artistic talent. The competition encouraged creative expression across disciplines, with participants developing their artistic capabilities through structured engagement with both drawing and painting mediums.
In the pencil drawing category, Fatima Zahra Hami earned primary recognition, followed by Mona Al Qaddoumi and Salma Al Sharqawi. Within the painting category, Yasmine Nashit claimed first place, with Fatima Zahra Mufreh Eddine and Ouiam Lamghayez receiving subsequent honours. The awards ceremony in the Children’s Village underscored the importance of fostering young creative potential and encouraging participation in cultural activities that refine artistic skills.
The ceremony honouring both competitions was presided over by Sidi Saleh Daha, Governor of El Jadida Province; Hamad Abdullah bin Ghalita Al Ghafli, Chairman of the Office of the Ruler of Ajman; Mohammed Ahmed Al Harbi, Director General of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society; and Abdullah Butti Al Qubaisi, Executive Director of the Heritage Awareness and Knowledge Sector at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority. The occasion attracted considerable attendance from officials and exhibition visitors alike.
Through these complementary initiatives, the UAE Pavilion has articulated a distinctive vision of cultural exchange, one that honours the heritage of Arabian horsemanship whilst creating meaningful platforms for creative expression across generations and artistic disciplines.
Source: WAM