“Rhythm of Dialects”: An Exceptional Poetry Evening at Mohammed Bin Rashid Library

Dubai, UAE, 19 June 2025: As part of its ongoing poetry and reading evenings programme, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library recently hosted a special event titled “Rhythm of Dialects”, bringing together celebrated Arab poets from across the region for an evening of spoken word and cultural expression.

The event featured a vibrant showcase of poetry in regional dialects, including Egyptian, Levantine, and Gulf, in a bid to celebrate linguistic diversity and preserve the richness of the Arabic language. The evening aligns with the Library’s broader mission to promote cultural and literary engagement within the community.

Opening the event, Emirati poet Aisha Dostin delivered a heartfelt selection of Nabati verses, touching on themes of identity, belonging, and national pride. Her performance set the tone for a night steeped in cultural resonance and poetic reflection.

Syrian poet Ahlam Bannawi followed with evocative poems in the Levantine dialect, delicately weaving themes of nostalgia and longing through accessible, emotion-filled language. Lebanese poet Sleiman Hedaife brought a philosophical edge to the evening with symbolic poetry that explored identity, exile, and belonging. He dedicated two poems to the UAE, praising its role as a hub for Arab creativity and a home for cultural expression.

Representing Egypt, poet Mohamed Torky offered works brimming with emotional depth—touching on love, hope, and the rhythms of everyday life—delivered in the unmistakable warmth of the Egyptian dialect.

The performances were accompanied by live guitar by Mahmoud Al-Hanawi, adding a musical layer that complemented the poetic rhythm and captivated the audience.

The event drew a large and diverse crowd, including writers, academics, and poetry enthusiasts from across the UAE, underscoring the community’s appetite for events that honour regional voices and creative expression.

At the close of the evening, the Library honoured the participating poets and reaffirmed its dedication to supporting initiatives that enrich the cultural landscape and uphold the Arabic language.

“Rhythm of Dialects” further cements the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library’s position as a beacon of knowledge and a cultural destination that champions Arab creativity and expression.