25/08/2025
Spanish Poetry Platform at the Mesopotamia International Poetry Festival
THE HAGUE- The Dutch city of The Hague is preparing to host the eighth edition of the Mesopotamia International Poetry Festival, which will serve as a platform to combat racial discrimination through art and literature.
According to a statement from the organizers, the festival will be held from September 5 to 7 at the "Amare" foundation headquarters in the heart of the city. This year, it will welcome a constellation of renowned poets from Spain, Peru, Chile, and Uruguay, in addition to poets from Arab countries.
Among the names participating in the "Spanish Poetry in The Hague" event on September 7 are the Spanish poet José Sarría, the Uruguayan poet Ramón Haniotis, the Peruvian poet Karina Miñano, the Chilean poet Daniela Rosas, and the Spanish poet Elena Azcúndo. The poet Abdul Hadi Sadoun will also participate.
In a notable step to foster cultural dialogue, several of the participating Spanish-speaking poets will read their poems in their original language, while the Dutch poet W***y Kijds will be responsible for reading the Dutch translation, creating a unique linguistic and artistic bridge between cultures.
Statements on the Festival
Poet and novelist Abd Al-Hadi Saadoun said: "Spanish-speaking people are among those who have taken to the streets the most to express their opinion against oppression, violence, and racial discrimination. Therefore, this is a great opportunity for the Dutch public to hear the voice of their poetry, which cries out for humanity and against hatred and discrimination."
For his part, the Iraqi poet and translator Hussein Nehaba, who is participating in the festival for the second time, stated: "Just as Mesopotamia was a meeting point for the dialogue of cultures and civilizations, this festival, which bears the same name, establishes a dialogue between different poetics. And perhaps its organization in the City of Justice and Peace has more than one positive connotation that benefits the festival and brings it closer to its goals." Nehaba and his colleague, the poet Abd Al-Hadi Saadoun, are known for their significant contributions to enriching Spanish culture through their poetic works and translation projects, which have made them a cultural bridge connecting Arab and Spanish literature.
The festival director, Mohammad Al Amin, said that the event, organized by the "Mesopotamia" foundation, is being held under the slogan "Poetry Against Racism," with the aim of "shedding light on how young people address issues of discrimination through the tools of art and culture." He added that the festival seeks to "offer a unique space for young people to express their experiences and deepen their understanding of issues of equality, driving sustainable social change."
Objective and Participants
More than twenty poets from around the world are participating in the festival, which underscores the global dimension of the event. The organizers highlight that the goal is not only to address young people as the main audience but also to encourage the participation of parents to support their children, making the festival an inclusive space for dialogue on social justice issues.
