Taif… a unique poetic figure who elevated the status of culture and literature in the Gulf region and the world

This year, Taif witnessed many cultural programs. This constituted a unique platform through which he inspired his literary poetry by addressing many creative topics, seminars and pressing poetic issues, and enriched many different occasions and events that have long been rooted in the conscience of the people of the Arabian Peninsula. Time, to have a prosperous year in the field of literature and poetry and to create a personality for itself, consolidating its position at the local, Gulf and global levels.

Through these events every year, Taif plays an effective role in literature, poetry and culture, hosting a series of lectures, dialogues and critical sessions, as well as poetry evenings, which illuminate Taif’s historical role in stimulating the poetic scene, an airy dome that brings together a large group of poetry critics from the Kingdom and abroad to discuss many topics, the most important of which is the importance of poetry as a human being and its place in the world, as well as its relationship with poetry. Translation, knowledge economy and expressive arts have long been rooted in the conscience of the Arabs, making Taif and its unique poetics occupy a high position among the members of society, even becoming their situation. Taif has a link to convey their emotions, a platform to reveal their inner existence and preserves the history and stories of their different lives, from the stallions of Okaz to the poets of this era. The summer in Taif and its unmissable evenings are blessed by the cooperation with literary, publishing and translation organizations. The 13th Gulf Poetry Forum 2024 of the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and the Literature and Publishing Bureau brings together many poets, critics, experts and interested persons from the GCC countries to strengthen cultural exchanges, enhance the value of poetry, confirm the importance of the Arabic language in the region, deepen the status and role of poetry in the culture of the Gulf peoples, sort out new poetic voices in each GCC country, and highlight outstanding countries.

Taif has taken on the mantle of literature, with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announcing earlier that it would be included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, becoming the Kingdom’s first Creative City in the field of literature. The award is based on seven factors that are aligned with the plans of the three departments, namely: the quality and quantity of the city’s publications; the important role of literature, drama and poetry in the city; the quality and diversity of educational programs focused on teaching local literature, the availability of public libraries, bookstores and public cultural centers, and the involvement of traditional and new media in marketing literature, strengthening local markets and having publishers translate literary works into multiple languages, in addition to hosting and organizing literary events and festivals in the city.

In July 2024 AD, Taif will welcome the “Taif Summer Nights” season, which is supervised by the Taif Governorate under the effective patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nahar. Let the season be enriched by colorful activities; it echoes the peaks of Mount Hatta and Mount Shifa, celebrates the cultural, heritage and tourism history of the region, and highlights the aesthetics that the governorate possesses, creating a unique cultural and tourist destination in the minds of people. This season records the feelings of tourists about Taif’s values, tracing its influences and dazzling aesthetic combinations. Through content and activities on multiple tracks such as entertainment, sports, agriculture, etc., the content includes the Rose Parade, flower-decorated vehicles, huge models, and other activities that include historical themes, including the Diriyah exhibition organized on time by Taif University, the Land of Kings and Heroes, and the special display organized by Taif Municipality for purebred Arabian horses, including their specifications and their connection with the people of the Arabian Peninsula.

The sports aspect has not been neglected in Taif, which is full of organized and held sports events, among which the King Khalid Equestrian Square horse racing, the Asian Football Championship, the Youth League for Under-13 groups, and the upcoming camel race, play an important role in consolidating the close relationship between humans and animals; this diversity makes Taif the only city in the Kingdom to host these events, highlighting the importance of sports as a fundamental driver of comprehensive development and a major goal of Saudi Vision 2030.