As the 16th edition of the El Jadida Horse Show approaches, a new cultural initiative is set to debut: a national poetry competition dedicated entirely to the world of horses. For the first time, a group of Moroccan poets will be invited to put the spirit of horsemanship into words, offering a lyrical tribute to one of the most enduring symbols of Arab heritage.
The competition is the result of a collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Authority for Heritage, the Emirates Arabian Horse Society, and the El Jadida Horse Show. Together, they aim to rekindle a poetic dialogue around the horse—an emblematic figure deeply woven into Arab culture and imagination. Through verse, the organizers hope to explore the powerful emotional, historical, and symbolic ties between humans and horses, drawing attention to how equestrian tradition shapes identity and artistic expression.
Interested poets have until September 20 to submit their work, which must be written in formal Arabic and sent to [email protected] . The contest is open only to Moroccan nationals currently residing in Morocco who are 18 or older.
Each submission must be between 15 and 30 lines, with the horse as its central theme. Both classical metered poetry and the free-form taf‘ila style will be accepted. Participants are encouraged to explore a wide range of tones and genres—from praise poetry and elegy to historical and cultural reflection—so long as the horse remains at the heart of the piece.
From the entries, fifteen poems will be chosen for a live reading session on October 3 at the Mohammed VI Exhibition Center in El Jadida. Finalists will perform their work before an audience and a panel of judges, who will evaluate both the quality of the writing and the power of the delivery. The event will conclude with the announcement of the winners and the presentation of awards.
