Abu Dhabi, June 6th, 2010 (WAM) -- The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) announced the publication of a collection of Arabic poems with English translation.
The collection, entitled "Contemporary Poems from the Arabian Peninsula", includes the work of thirty-two poets: seven from the UAE, three from Bahrain, five from Kuwait, three from Oman, three from Qatar, six from Saudi Arabia, and five from Yemen. The poems were translated into English by Dr. Shihab Ghanem, and by Peter Zsoldos, the former Slovakian Ambassador to Abu Dhabi, who wrote in the introduction to the book that relationships with others begin through gaining an understanding of them. The introduction stresses the importance of opening cultural dialogues between different peoples and societies. He noted that the beauty of the poetry of the Orient has influenced many writers and intellectuals in central Europe. He hopes that readers will find this book equally enjoyable, and that his message, which asks that people nurture an understanding of others in order to strengthen ties with them, reaches all humanity. The poets, and the titles of the poems in the book, are: From the UAE: Shihab Ghanem (Bakboukh), Habib Al Sayegh (So That No...), Khalid Bader (Stones), Adel Khouzam (The First), Ahmed Al Thani (Citizen), Mona Matar (Dancing Heat), and Nujoum Al Ghanim (Midnight Moon). From Bahrain: Qassim Haddad (Sea Feast), Hamda Khamis (Equality), and Ali Sharqawi (Rain). From Kuwait: Suad Al Sabah (Female 2000), Khalifa Al Waqayan (Sailors With The Wind), Mohammad Ahmad Al Mashari (Not As They Wish), Ali Al Sabti (Glory For The Poets), and Mohammed Al Faez (Reading Hidden Things). From Oman: Saif Al Rahbi (Tea), Hilal Al Ameri (Writing On The Wall Of Silence), and Abdullah Al Riyami (Toast to Strangers). From Qatar: Zakia Mal Allah (Roofs), Suad Al Kuwari (The Journey), Mohammed Khalifa Al Attiyah (Caller on Poetry). From Saudi Arabia: Ghazi Al Qasibi (Words From The Epic Of Essence), Hassan Abdullah Al Qurashi (Glory), Ahmad Saleh (The Chat of Strangers), Fawzia Abu Khaled (A Computer Keyboard), Abdallah Ba Sharahil (Nothingness), and Thuraya Al Awad (All Of Them Are I). From Yemen: Mohammed Abduh Ghanem (My Papers), Abdullah Al Bardouni (Invasion From Within), Abdulaziz Al Maqaleh (To My Mother), Huda Ablan (Surra), and Fatima Al Ashbi (Man Of Paper).Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2010.
