Al Multaqa Literary Salon: Celebrating Three Decades of Creativity and Cultural Influence

The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi organized a literary session at the Cultural Foundation in celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the Al Multaqa Literary Salon, coinciding with International Women's Day. The event was attended by a select group of intellectuals and artists, including visual artist Najat Makki, along with salon members and a cultural and intellectual audience.

At the beginning of the session, poet and director Nujoom Al Ghanem emphasized that this meeting not only celebrates the Al Multaqa Salon's journey, but also highlights the role of women in culture and creativity, praising their role in establishing this cultural space, which has become a platform for thought and influence over the decades.

During her moderated talk, Al-Ghanem explained that the Literary Forum Salon was not just a space for intellectual discussions, but rather an inspiring environment that brought together literature, art, and thought. It contributed to promoting a culture of reading and supporting creativity and talent, especially among women. She added that the salon not only celebrated Arabic literature but also witnessed significant cultural and intellectual transformations in the UAE, attracting numerous thinkers and writers from diverse backgrounds.

The salon's founder, Asma Siddiq Al-Mutawa, noted that the idea was launched at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi, where the first building block for this forum was laid by her attendance, along with her colleagues, at cultural and artistic events. Al-Mutawa said, "The beginning was like planting a seed and nurturing it until it became a towering palm tree, bearing its literary and cultural fruits."

She added that the forum's first guest was Algerian novelist Ahlam Mosteghanemi, as at that time, there were not many translated books available in libraries, making the salon a vital space for discussing the Arabic novel, which reflects societal transformations.

Al Mutawa emphasized that perseverance and belief in the idea made it a sustainable cultural experience. These efforts resulted in the forum's registration with UNESCO, in addition to receiving several awards in recognition of its role in the cultural scene. She also announced the launch of the "Asma" Award for the Best First Novel by an Emerging Writer, which was allocated a special endowment from the family's legacy, an initiative aimed at supporting emerging literary talents.

She emphasized the importance of reading and intellectual discussions in building an interactive cultural community, adding, "We don't just read novels; we live with them and interact with their events, to understand the deeper aspects of our societies and culture." At the end of the evening, those present agreed that the Literary Forum Salon was not merely a cultural initiative, but was and continues to be a part of the intellectual movement in the UAE and the Arab region, shouldering the responsibility of promoting dialogue and creativity, and empowering future generations to engage with literature and thought with a critical eye and an enlightened vision.