LIBYA: Tripoli hosts inaugural International Poetry Festival amid capital's Roman ruins

Record ID: 735363

  • Title: LIBYA: Tripoli hosts inaugural International Poetry Festival amid capital's Roman ruins
  • Date: 30th April 2012
  • Summary: TRIPOLI, LIBYA (APRIL 28, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ARCH OF MARCUS AURELIUS IN TRIPOLI'S OLD CITY, WHERE TRIPOLI INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL HELD SIGN READING: "TRIPOLI INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL" IN ARABIC AND ENGLISH AUDIENCE APPLAUDING CLOSE OF AMERICAN POET CAROLYN FORCHE LISTENING TO POETRY / FORCHE APPLAUDING JORDANIAN POET TAHER RIYADH RECITING POEM ON "T
  • Embargoed: 15th May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya, Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: Arts,Lifestyle
  • Reuters ID: LVAC455H0L8HW3O1P84XG10YQ1IU
  • Story Text: Set amidst one of the final reminders of Tripoli's Roman past, an international poetry festival has brought together more than 40 poets from 14 countries in a bid to showcase the country's progress since a bloody revolt last year toppled Muammar Gaddafi after 42 years at the helm.
    The three day event which began on Saturday (April 28) is focused around the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, named after a former Roman emperor, in a rare attraction of modern Tripoli for foreigners.
    Sponsored partially by the country's culture ministry, the event began with Jordanian poet Taher Riyadh, followed by American poet Carolyn Forche.
    Forche, in her 60s, raised some eyebrows amongst audience members with her relatively unorthodox recital.
    Culture Minister Abdul-Rahman Habeel said he hoped the event would assure the outside world Libya is capable of holding international festivals.
    "The importance of this event, is that it is Tripoli's International Poetry Festival in its inaugural stage, we hope this festival continues annually in the future transforming Tripoli to become one of the capitals of international poetry," he said.
    "Secondly, it's important as it comes during these tough times for our country's history and allows us to send a message to the whole world that we will not forget or ignore our civilisation, our culture and our artistic message. Libya's civilisation and culture remain and are awake," he added.
    Christopher Merrill, poet and director of Iowa University Center for international writers, praised the Libyans for their organisation.
    "This is an extraordinary gathering that (organiser) Ashur Etwebi has put together a testament to the enduring vitality of poetry. Poetry is the great symbol of freedom and what a wonderful thing to bring us all together here in free Libya," said Merrill.
    Sunday (April 29) and Monday (April 30) will see regular poetry, as well as themed topics such as "Poetry in an Era of Great Transformations" and "Poetry in a Digital Globalised World".
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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