SGI-Gulf hosts second successful edition of 'Poetic Heart' at Dubai Knowledge Village

The event witnessed a distinguished gathering of seven well renowned poets who shared their poetic master-pieces.

The poets included: Dr. Daisaku Ikeda - represented by Dr. Akash Keiji Ouchi, Mr. Habib Al Sayegh, Prof. Francesca Corrao, Dr. Qais Ghanem, Ms. Silvana Salmanpour, Mr. Talil Al Sabiri and Mr. Chemmanam Chacko.

Further, some budding poets from various educational institutions selected by our panel of poets recited their youthful creations too. The poems were recited in a plethora of languages: Arabic, Japanese, Italian, Persian and Malayalam.

"For many years, I have stressed the need to revive the poetic spirit in today's world. It is my hope that the call of the poets that issues from this symposium 'The Poetic Heart: Connecting Humanity' will inspire a further expansion of the solidarity of peace and friendship," said Dr. Dr.Daisaku Ikeda, World poet laureate & President, Soka Gakkai International.

The agenda comprised of the poets reciting their enriching and thought-provoking creations. This was followed by enthralling musical performances by Dr. Nizar Ghanem with his Oudh and Mr. Jason Carter on his unique Harp-guitar.

Dr. Shihab Ghanem, an eminent Emirati poet and this year's winner of the Tagore Peace Award and Mr. Sami Yusuf, an eminent singer, lyricist, composer and producer were the Special Guests of Honour.

Speaking about the initiative Dr.Shihab Ghanem said, "Poetry is the SOUL of a NATION and poets from different nations usually get along well. Poetic Heart symposium is a wonderful initiative to bring poets from different nationalities and languages together in an endeavor to promote harmony, understanding and peace. It also attempts to promote poetry itself with its beauty and values of love, justice and lofty ideals amongst the youth of today."

The audience in attendance were some highly esteemed dignitaries and delegates including, Mr.Sanjay Verma, Counsel General of India, Dr. Akash Keiji Ouchi - SGI Representative for South Asia and the Middle East; Mr. Rakesh Tharoor - General Director, SGI-Gulf and many others including the youth from educational institutes.

Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director, DKV AND DIAC, said, "We believe that Poetry and the written word are hallmarks of a holistic education and that promoting a culture of peace and literature should begin at the grass roots level. I would also like to commend Dr. Shihab Ghanem, an eminent Emirati poet and this year's winner of the Tagore Peace prize along with the other performers who participated in this event. Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City look forward to supporting future initiatives which promote peace and culture."

The Poetic Heart is an annual event and this year was its second successful edition. In subsequent years, SGI-Gulf intends to encourage student participation in writing and reciting poetry by constituting an award to instill a considerate creative spirit through poetry.