The Idlib branch of the Arab Writers Union honored the top winners of the 2026 Abu al-Ala al-Ma'arri Poetry Prize for Creative Poetry today, Tuesday, at a ceremony attended by a select group of intellectuals and writers.
Reviving Cultural Activities in Idlib After Liberation
The award ceremony was held at the headquarters of Action for Humanity in Idlib, where shields and financial awards were distributed to the top three winners, following a competition that included 242 poems from various governorates. Abdul Rahman Al-Ibrahim, a poet and head of the Idlib branch, stated in an interview with SANA correspondent that the Abu al-Ala al-Ma'arri Poetry Prize was announced after liberation to revive cultural activities in the governorate, contributing to revitalizing the literary and cultural movement there.
Al-Ibrahim added that the jury was formed by specialists without disclosing their names, in order to ensure fairness and transparency in the selection. According to him, the first prize was awarded to poet Ahmad Al-Yousef from Manbij for his poem "Maya," the second prize to poet Ahmad Abdul Aziz Al-Hamad from Homs, and the third prize to poet Fatima Abdul Hamid Khorshid.
Qualitative Development in Prize Value
For his part, first-place winner Ahmad Al-Yousef considered the prize valuable and wonderful for Syrian poets and writers, especially since such prizes did not exist previously, reflecting the attention given to intellectuals, writers, and poets. He directed thanks to those organizing these events for recognizing writers, intellectuals, and poets and for supporting and caring for their output.
For his part, second-place winner Ahmad Abdul Aziz Al-Hamad stated that he had been away from poetry for personal reasons for about ten years, despite being a member of the Writers Union and having three poetry collections. He expressed his happiness at this competition, which brought him back to poetry, and his interest in this world that appeared to him at an early age.
The Abu al-Ala al-Ma'arri Poetry Prize for Creative Poetry is one of the cultural initiatives aimed at encouraging the poetic and literary movement in Syria and reviving the cultural heritage. It bears the name of the poet and philosopher Abu al-Ala al-Ma'arri, son of Ma'arat al-Nu'man, and seeks to honor Syrian poets and motivate new generations to creative poetry, advancing the cultural movement.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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