The “IMA Poetry Saturdays” celebrate Abbasid poetry, the golden century of Arabic poetry – Institut du Monde Arabe – Paris, 75005

The “IMA Poetry Saturdays” celebrate Abbasid poetry, the golden century of Arabic poetry. For our greatest pleasure, at the dawn of this new year 2025, the library of the Institute of the Arab World invites us to a first-rate literary and poetic event as part of the monthly “Poetry Saturdays”. Under the enlightened direction of Farouk Mardam-Bey, eminent director of Sindbad Editions, and thanks to Jalila Boualfaya, dedicated director of the library, the session entitled “Abbasid poetry, the golden age of Arabic poetry” will immerse us in the richness of this literary heritage. Under the auspices of discovery and wonder, this meeting will be an opportunity to explore the different themes and the multiple voices that shaped this sumptuous era of Arabic poetry. At the confluence of knowledge from the East and the West, in 762, in Baghdad, one of the liveliest cities in the world, with inhabitants of all origins, faiths, social conditions, the art of poetry flourished over two centuries. which is very often referred to as the golden age. In literature, if prose then diversified considerably, thus reaching its full maturity, poetry remained the most prestigious literary genre. To the traditional themes adapted to current tastes, others have been brilliantly added, ranging from libertinism to asceticism, and from hedonism to the concerns of daily life. These poets, like architects of words, erected literary monuments that have spanned the centuries, and it is now up to us to rediscover and celebrate them. The session promises to be a true cultural festival, where the poetry of yesterday will find new life, under the voice of actresses Clémence Azincourt for a reading in French and Sanae Assif, for a reading in Arabic in a translation by Hoa Hoï Vuong and Patrick Mégarbané. Abbasid poetry, which was able to capture the very essence of the golden age of Arab culture, is offered to us, in a musical accompaniment to the quanoun with the exceptional participation of the famous musician Hend Zouari, nicknamed the princess of the qanoun. This meeting of “IMA Poetry Saturdays” is more than just a reading; it is an invitation to travel through time and space, a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich and complex world of Abbasid poetry. The works of Abû Nuwas, Abbas ibn Ahnaf, Abu al Atâhiya, and their illustrious colleagues, are not only testimonies of a bygone era, but echoes of the universal quest for beauty and truth which still resonate today . It is essential to seize this unique opportunity to enrich our understanding of Arabic literature and its invaluable contributions to the world's cultural heritage. Whether you are a poetry enthusiast, a history lover, or simply a poetry lover, this meeting is for you. Don't miss this encounter with history, art and beauty, where words and music intertwine to celebrate the splendor of Abbasid poetry. Not to be missed! F. Guemiah.