ICESCO Poetry Competition Celebrates Islamic Cultural Capitals

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has launched its annual poetry competition, “Cities of Poems,” to celebrate the capitals of culture in the Islamic world, with three cities honored in 2024: Marrakesh, Morocco; Benghazi, Libya; and Shusha, Azerbaijan. The announcement, released via the Saudi Press Agency, underscores ICESCO’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage and fostering literary creativity across the Islamic world.

Context and Background

ICESCO, based in Rabat, Morocco, is a specialized organization that works to strengthen cooperation in education, science, and culture among Islamic countries. The “Cities of Poems” competition is part of its broader efforts to highlight the rich cultural and historical heritage of cities designated as capitals of culture in the Islamic world. These cities are selected annually to showcase their contributions to Islamic civilization and to promote cultural exchange.

Marrakesh, known for its vibrant markets and historic medina, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Benghazi, a city with a deep literary tradition, has played a significant role in Libya’s cultural landscape. Shusha, often referred to as the “cradle of Azerbaijani music,” is a symbol of cultural resilience and artistic excellence. By celebrating these cities, ICESCO aims to draw global attention to their unique legacies.

Key Details

The poetry competition invites poets to submit works that revive and strengthen the relationship between poetry and place, documenting the history and geography of the celebrated cities through poetic and aesthetic expression. According to the official announcement, the competition seeks to honor the symbols and civilizations of these capitals of culture through poetry and to contribute to the literary and lyrical movement.

Entries will be evaluated by a specialized ICESCO committee of poets. Three winners will be selected for each celebrated city. The first-place winner will receive $2,000, the runner-up $1,500, and the third-place winner $1,000. All winners will also receive certificates of appreciation. This financial incentive not only rewards literary talent but also encourages broader participation and engagement with the cultural heritage of the Islamic world.

Implications and Impact

The “Cities of Poems” competition has significant implications for cultural diplomacy and international engagement. By celebrating cities from Morocco, Libya, and Azerbaijan, ICESCO highlights the diversity and unity of the Islamic world. It also promotes people-to-people connections and mutual understanding among member states.

For Saudi Arabia, which actively supports cultural initiatives through its Vision 2030 strategy, this competition aligns with the Kingdom’s efforts to foster cultural exchange and preserve heritage. Saudi Arabia has been a strong advocate for cultural diplomacy, hosting numerous events and supporting organizations like ICESCO. The competition also provides an opportunity for poets from Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries to showcase their talents on an international platform.

Furthermore, the focus on poetry as a medium for cultural documentation reinforces the importance of literature in preserving collective memory. It encourages younger generations to engage with their heritage and contributes to the creative economy, a key pillar of Vision 2030.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasizes the importance of culture as a driver of economic growth and social development. The Kingdom has invested heavily in cultural infrastructure, including museums, festivals, and international partnerships. The ICESCO poetry competition reflects these goals by promoting cultural exchange, supporting artists, and enhancing the global presence of Islamic heritage.

As Saudi Arabia continues to position itself as a hub for cultural and intellectual activities, initiatives like “Cities of Poems” complement the Kingdom’s efforts to diversify its economy and strengthen its soft power. By aligning with ICESCO’s mission, Saudi Arabia reinforces its commitment to fostering a vibrant cultural scene that resonates both regionally and globally.

20 Questions

Q1. What is ICESCO and what does it do?

A1. ICESCO is the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Based in Rabat, Morocco, it promotes cooperation in education, science, and culture among Islamic countries to enhance cultural heritage and development.

Q2. What is the “Cities of Poems” competition?

A2. It is an annual poetry competition launched by ICESCO to celebrate the capitals of culture in the Islamic world. It aims to revive poetry’s connection with places and honor the history of selected cities.

Q3. Which cities are celebrated in 2024?

A3. The three cities celebrated in 2024 are Marrakesh in Morocco, Benghazi in Libya, and Shusha in Azerbaijan. These cities are recognized for their cultural and historical significance in the Islamic world.

Q4. When was the competition announced?

A4. The competition was announced on September 3, 2024, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The announcement was made by ICESCO from its headquarters in Rabat, Morocco.

Q5. What are the objectives of the competition?

A5. The competition aims to revive poetry’s relationship with places, document the history and geography of cities poetically, honor the symbols of the capitals of culture, and contribute to the literary movement.

Q6. Who evaluates the poems?

A6. A specialized ICESCO committee of poets evaluates the entries. They select three winners for each celebrated city based on the quality and relevance of the poems submitted.

Q7. What are the prizes for the winners?

A7. The first-place winner receives $2,000, the runner-up receives $1,500, and the third-place winner receives $1,000. All winners also receive certificates of appreciation from ICESCO.

Q8. How many winners are selected?

A8. Three winners are selected for each celebrated city. With three cities in 2024, a total of nine winners will be awarded across all categories.

Q9. What is the significance of Marrakesh as a capital of culture?

A9. Marrakesh is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its vibrant markets, historic medina, and rich cultural heritage. It has long been a center of art, architecture, and Islamic scholarship.

Q10. Why is Benghazi celebrated?

A10. Benghazi has a deep literary tradition and has played a significant role in Libya’s cultural landscape. It is recognized for its contributions to Arabic literature and Islamic civilization.

Q11. What makes Shusha a cultural capital?

A11. Shusha, often called the “cradle of Azerbaijani music,” is a symbol of cultural resilience and artistic excellence. It has a rich history of poetry, music, and architecture in the Islamic world.

Q12. How does this competition contribute to cultural diplomacy?

A12. By celebrating cities from different countries, the competition highlights the diversity and unity of the Islamic world. It fosters people-to-people connections and mutual understanding among member states.

Q13. How does Saudi Arabia support such cultural initiatives?

A13. Saudi Arabia actively supports cultural initiatives through Vision 2030, which emphasizes cultural exchange and heritage preservation. The Kingdom hosts events and partners with organizations like ICESCO.

Q14. What role does poetry play in preserving heritage?

A14. Poetry serves as a medium to document history, geography, and cultural symbols. It helps preserve collective memory and encourages younger generations to engage with their heritage and identity.

Q15. Can poets from Saudi Arabia participate?

A15. Yes, poets from Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries are encouraged to participate. The competition is open to poets from all ICESCO member states, including the Kingdom.

Q16. What is the deadline for submissions?

A16. The specific deadline has not been announced in the initial release. Interested poets should monitor ICESCO’s official channels for updates on submission guidelines and deadlines.

Q17. How does this align with Vision 2030?

A17. Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy and promote cultural activities. The competition supports these goals by enhancing cultural exchange, supporting artists, and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s soft power.

Q18. What impact does the competition have on the creative economy?

A18. It encourages literary creativity and provides financial incentives, contributing to the creative economy. It also promotes tourism and cultural engagement in the celebrated cities, benefiting local communities.

Q19. Are there similar ICESCO initiatives?

A19. Yes, ICESCO regularly organizes cultural, educational, and scientific programs. These include heritage preservation projects, capacity-building workshops, and cultural festivals across member states.

Q20. How can the public learn more about the competition?

A20. The public can learn more through ICESCO’s official website and social media channels, as well as through announcements from Saudi Press Agency and other official Saudi media outlets.

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