The first edition of the Luxor Arabic Poetry Festival was launched on Thursday under the patronage of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

A galaxy of poets and writers from Egypt and the Arab world are participating in the three-day event.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Egyptian Minister of Culture, Hilmi Nimnim, Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Information in Sharjah, and Mohammed Badr, Governor of Luxor, a number of prominent poets and cultural and literary figures, among others.

The audience watched a documentary about the House of Poetry, an initiative by the ruler of Sharjah to facilitate the interaction between Arab poets.