The fourth annual Farasan Poetry Forum opened yesterday in the Farasan Islands governorate, organized by the Professional Literature Association with support from the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, and attended by the governor of the Farasan Islands, Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Dhafiri. Running for three days, the forum has become a major cultural event that boosts literary and cultural activity in the region while supporting its tourism appeal, thanks to its unique cultural and heritage legacy.

Wide Arab Participation

The forum brought together 40 poets, writers and intellectuals representing 15 Arab countries, who presented their literary and poetic work across a series of evening sessions. Abdullah Miftah, the association's chief executive, said he was proud of the standing the forum has come to hold on the cultural scene, stressing its role in putting the Farasan Islands on the map as a distinctive cultural and tourist destination.

A Varied Program

The forum featured a range of cultural and artistic events, most notably:

  • Poetry evenings that saw 14 poets take part on the first day amid strong audience engagement.
  • Art exhibitions: including a fine arts show and a handicrafts exhibition reflecting the cultural identity of the Farasan Islands.
  • Folk arts performances staged by specialized troupes to revive the region's artistic heritage.
  • Literary sessions: including storytelling evenings and discussions on Arabic literature and its challenges in the modern era.

Supporting Culture and Tourism

The forum underscored the importance of combining culture and tourism, with its events highlighting the folk heritage and historic sites found across the Farasan Islands. Guests praised the organization and programming, which showcased the cultural and literary diversity of the Kingdom and the wider Arab region.

The forum is part of the Kingdom's broader efforts to promote culture as a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030, reflecting a spirit of cultural openness and encouraging literary and artistic exchange among Arab countries.