Inauguration of the First Palestinian Poetry Council at Yasser Arafat Museum

SadaNews - The "First Palestinian Poetry Council" was inaugurated today, Tuesday, at the Yasser Arafat Museum, organized by the Ministry of Culture, in the presence of Minister Imad al-Din Hamdan, alongside a group of writers, poets, and critics.

Ahmed Sobhi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Yasser Arafat Foundation, emphasized in his speech the importance of culture and poetry in reinforcing the Palestinian narrative as one of the main components of the Palestinian identity, reflecting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their attachment to their land and rights.

He stated, "From the forum hall in the Yasser Arafat Museum, near the tomb of the founding president and from the last trench for the promoter of contemporary Palestinian nationalism, we inaugurate the 'First Palestinian Poetry Council.' This council is a link in a series of necessary stages to strengthen Palestinian national identity in light of the difficult circumstances facing the Palestinian cause, represented in what our people endure from comprehensive aggression and a clear war of extermination on the ground, through martyrs, prisoners, and the wounded, along with destruction and demolitions, incursions into Al-Aqsa and Palestinian cities, and the persecution of citizens, alongside other forms of extermination war implemented by the occupation by combating the narrative and story of Palestine.

He continued: Our Palestinian people have achieved clear breakthroughs through Palestinian youth everywhere, both inside and in the diaspora, demonstrating their ability to use modern technological techniques and social media to convey the Palestinian truth to the entire world, where Palestine has become a symbol of global human conscience.

Sobhi pointed out that during the activities commemorating the twenty-first anniversary of the assassination of the founding president and the thirty-eighth of the Declaration of Independence across various places and in different ways, other forms of war waged by the occupation against the Palestinian people emerged, including discordant voices that question the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and its representation of the Palestinian people, in the form of analysts, historians, and intellectuals calling for bypassing the PLO and aiming for void, willingly or unwillingly, and this void leads to the occupation's control.

He considered any attempt to bypass the PLO and its factions a liquidation of Palestinian national rights, indicating that some sought a warm embrace outside the PLO framework but found none, and thus must return to the embrace of the homeland.

For his part, Minister Hamdan said, "Today we stand in this magnificent national edifice, the Yasser Arafat Museum, which is the symbol of Palestinian memory, translating the story into responsibility, and translating responsibility into faith," emphasizing that culture is the first line of defense for Palestinian existence.

He also highlighted the importance of words carrying the national message, stating that today's message is from Gaza to Jerusalem, and we are still committed to the pact of the martyrs and prisoners, culture, and language.

He explained that the meeting of the First Palestinian Poetry Council is a new declaration that the Palestinian people, despite their wounds, siege, and world conspiracies, still believe in the word that has struggled and comforted and has never betrayed Palestine.

Hamdan extended his greetings to the poets and poetesses, critics, and creators, along with those who carry the responsibility of keeping the voice of Palestine loud, and ensuring that the Palestinian language and poetry serve as a bridge extending from the heart of the homeland to the capitals of the world, as well as greeting the Yasser Arafat Foundation, its administration, and all those who contributed to this council.

He affirmed that the Ministry of Culture believes that the Palestinian cultural scene needs genuine spaces for voices to meet and converse, indicating that poetry can be a gateway for building and developing awareness, preserving identity, and motivating new generations to write Palestine in their own language, with a voice that resembles only itself.

He also stressed that poetry will remain an integral part of the national cultural project, and the ministry will support creative platforms and nurture talents and initiatives that ensure the continuity of this great heritage.

Poetic verses were also recited during the launch event.