Saudi Ministry of Culture to stage the Tarafa bin Al-Abd Festival from November 16

The Tarafa bin Al-Abd Festival will take place in Al-Ahsa from November 16 to 24, organised by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. As part of the ministry's Arab Poetry Path project, which celebrates the significance of the seven odes—which stand for the greatest of early Arabic literature—and the emblems of Arabic poetry, the event intends to showcase the poet's life, career, and achievements.

Among the seven well-known writers included in the collection of old Arabic poetry was Al-Abd, a poet from the Bakr tribe who lived in the sixth century. The festival will showcase the poet's life and well-known works through a variety of cultural events and activities.

A theatrical display on Al-Abd will be showcased, along with a Poet's Theatre section where guests may take part in poetry evenings and scientific lectures concerning his life and poetry. Live musical performances by Saudi bands playing and singing poetry by Al-Abd will also be a part of the festival. Locals of Al-Ahsa will display their handcrafted goods in an artisan area, while market sections will host other events.

Along with other participatory events, the festival will provide seminars on poetry recitals, poem writing, and creative interpretations of the poet. Fun activities and educational workshops will be combined in a special children's section to improve creative abilities and streamline traditional arts.

Additionally, a local food area will let guests interact with cooks and sample regional specialties that are inspired by the Eastern Province's history, particularly Al-Ahsa, and made with local ingredients such as Hassawi rice and dates.

To honour the cultural significance of poetry and poets throughout the Kingdom's history, the Ministry of Culture initiated the Arab Poetry Path initiative in 2021. The programme aims to showcase Saudi Arabia's rich cultural legacy via cutting-edge, technologically advanced artistic manifestations.