A night of French and Arabic poetry reading
A French-Arabic poetry night celebrating heritage took place on February 25, 8pm, at Mashq Art Space (Bu Quwah).
Hosted by the French Embassy in the Kingdom of Bahrain, with the support of Mashq Art Space, the 9th edition of the 'Nights of Reading' was a haven for poetic souls, celebrating the beauty of Bahraini and French heritage.
The audience was taken on a journey through a collection of poems by renowned French writers such as Victor Hugo, as well as works by acclaimed Bahraini poets such as Youssef Hassan.
The interplay of poems read in French and Arabic, explored the cultural heritage of both countries, whether built, intangible or natural.
Text to life
Performers Fatima Mohsen and Dr. Mohammed Khlifi brought the text to life through their personal and lively renditions of the selected pieces.
Hassan Haddad played along and complemented each poem to the sound of oud, offering a captivating interweaving of music and poetry.
The event attracted an audience ranging from poetry enthusiasts, literature professors, and authors including the renowned Bahraini poet Dr. Alawi al-Hashimi, who concluded the night with a reading of one of his poems on heritage.
Mutual understanding and cultural dialogue
The First Councellor and Cultural Advisor of the French embassy, Marie-Laure Charrier, said: 'The Reading Nights foster mutual understanding and cultural dialogue. They take place all over the world in our French embassies and cultural centers. They give a space where words go beyond borders. Reading opens up an inner space that escapes the constraints, contingencies and challenges of our time'.
The 'Nuits de la Lecture' (Reading Nights) is a worldwide annual event hosted by French embassies and cultural centers on the initiative of the French Ministry of Culture and the Centre National du Livre (Book National Centre).
For more information, please reach out to Bastien Rafel, cultural attache at the French Embassy. Bastien.rafel@diplomatie.gouv.fr Whatsapp : +336 5271 3419
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