Mesopotamia International Poetry Festival

• Date: 07 September
• Time: 13:00 - 22:30
• Location: Amare

Poetry Against Racial Discrimination

During the eighth edition of the Mesopotamia International Poetry Festival, themed ‘Poetry Against Racial Discrimination,’ the festival honours the Persian poet Bidel Dehlavi (1642-1721). Dehlavi is considered one of the most important founders of the Indian style of poetry. His poems are characterised by their philosophical depth and mystical aesthetics, which have inspired generations of poets.

The festival director, poet Mohammad Al Amin, said that this edition aims to highlight the ways in which young people combat discrimination through art, culture and literature. He noted that more than twenty poets from around the world will participate, giving the event an international character and promoting dialogue on justice and equality.

One of the festival's highlights is a bilingual theatrical adaptation of Shakespeare's ‘Troilus and Cressida’, created by Georgina Van Welie and Iraqi poet Ghareeb Iskander. The production focuses on the theme of ‘war and love’, with the Trojans speaking Arabic and the Greeks speaking English. This creates an artistic dialogue about cultural conflicts and understanding. The performance is shown as a recorded video production with visual effects, featuring four bilingual actors, a stand-up comedian and live music.

Additional information

• Activities: Theatre performances, poetry recitals, musical performances and workshops.
• Organisation: Mesopotamia Foundation, led by Iraqi poet Mohammad Al Amin.
• Aim of the project: To provide a platform for young people to share their experiences, deepen their understanding of discrimination issues and encourage them to find their voice. The festival also encourages parents to participate in order to support their children.

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