The 4th International Conference: The Year of Arabic Poetry 2023

Over the decades, Arabic poetry has occupied a distinguished cultural position as one of the most significant civilizational components of Arab culture—past and present. It has remained at the forefront of literary forums and gatherings as the voice of the nation and the mirror of its emotions.

Recognizing this cultural and artistic value, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia designated the year 2023 as the Year of Arabic Poetry, aiming to make poetry a vital and enduring part of Saudi and Arab cultural life.

In alignment with this national celebration, this international conference was held to honor both classical and Nabati Arabic poetry, offering an innovative academic perspective on its themes and challenges while exploring its contemporary relevance and future directions across the humanities.

The conference stemmed from a deep awareness of the civilizational and artistic significance of Arabic poetic production—as a defining feature of Arab culture in its humanistic, literary, and aesthetic dimensions, as well as its pragmatic and social aspects. It also highlighted poetry’s cultural, economic, and touristic impacts, bringing together scholarly depth and performative appreciation of the Arabic poetic experience.

Conference Objectives

• To contribute to the study of Arabic poetry in light of contemporary intellectual and cultural challenges.
• To approach the phenomenon of poetry through interdisciplinary perspectives connecting multiple fields of knowledge.
• To explore the vital role of poetry in enriching Arab culture throughout history.
• To highlight the deep-rooted civilizational role of poetry within the Arabian Peninsula.
• To uncover the cultural and economic potential of Arabic poetry and its role in cultural tourism.
• To appreciate the achievements of Arabic poetry and showcase its modernity and global resonance.

Conference Themes

• The universality of Arabic poetry.
• Performance styles in Arabic poetry.
• Poetry and philosophy.
• Classical and vernacular poetry: continuity and artistic nature.
• The economic and media investment in Arabic poetry.

Through this conference, the Year of Arabic Poetry 2023 was successfully concluded, reaffirming the central role of poetry in Saudi and Arab culture and reflecting the Kingdom’s vision to promote creativity and an authentic literary identity with a universal impact.