The World Silk Road Forum has named His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, as the Inspirational Literary Figure for Silk Road Poets.
The honour recognises Sheikh Mohammed’s visionary leadership in transforming Dubai into a vibrant cultural hub that bridges East and West, drawing inspiration from the historical Silk Road and reflecting an Emirati spirit.
As part of this recognition, the Forum also announced that Dubai will host the fifth edition of the Silk Road International Poetry Festival from May 23 to 29. This marks the first time an Arab city has been selected to host the prestigious event.
The award ceremony will be held on May 27 at the Mohammed bin Rashid Library. The festival will feature around 50 poets, artists, and painters, who will also visit major cultural and historical sites across the UAE.
Media coverage will include 20 Chinese press agencies, including People’s Daily, one of China’s leading newspapers.
Sheikh Mohammed is a prominent figure in Nabati poetry, with a literary legacy spanning themes of identity, leadership and love for the nation.
His published works include Zayed (2018), Flashes of Verse (2014), and 40 Poems from the Desert (2011), among others.
His collection For the Love of Horses pays tribute to the grace and spirit of equestrian culture.
Through his poetry and cultural initiatives, Sheikh Mohammed continues to inspire new generations and strengthen Dubai’s place on the global literary map.
The World Silk Road Forum is an independent, non-governmental organisation registered in the state of Delaware, United States, and recognised by the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in New York.
The Forum hosts international conferences and events promoting global cooperation and cultural exchange.
It works in partnership with major global institutions, including the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the World Internet Conference (WIC), and UNESCO. Its membership includes leaders in law, culture, diplomacy and international development.
The Forum also organises seasonal poetry events under the Silk Road Spring Poetry initiative, which brings together poets from all five continents.
Previous editions of the festival were held in Madrid (2018), Moscow (2019), and China (2021 and 2023).
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