Jamila Khair- Under the patronage of Amman Mayor Yousef Al Shawarbeh, the Greater Amman Municipality announced, in a ceremony held at the Hussein Cultural Center, the winners of “Habib Al Zeyoudi Poetry Award” in its fourth edition for the year 2024.
Al Shawarbeh and the head of the jury, Dr. Sabri Rabihat, handed over the awards to the winners poets, which bears the name of the late great Jordanian poet Habib Al Zeyoudi, in recognition and honour of this national stature who presented a lot in the field of poetry, including poems about homeland love and belonging.
In his speech, Rabihat recalled Al Zeyoudi’s virtues and his cultural and intellectual message, expressing his appreciation for GAM’s initiative to organise an award bearing the name of the poet Al Zeyoudi in recognition of his history and creativity.
The winners in the category of best poetry collection were the poet Harby Al-Masry for his collection (Miss Gemma), the poet Jumana Al-Tarawneh for the collection (Water’s Reproach), and the poet Sultan Muhammad for the collection (No Endings Suitable for Us).
In the category of the best Nabati poem,the poet Salim Al-Masafa with his poem (The Secret) won the first place, in second place was the poet Hassan Al-Nawafleh with his poem (Description of the Camels), and in third place was the poet Muhammad Al-Qatamin for his poem (Ghazal Al-Reem).
The first place in the category of best classical arabic poems was won by the poet Abdul Rahim Kafa with his poem (Hypothesis for Illusion), in second place was the poet Qasim Al-Daraghmeh with his poem (Maybe), and in third place was the poet Hassan Al-Nabrawi with his poem (Delicious Poison).
The winner for the best poem by Arab poets residing in Jordan was the Palestinian poet Shafiq Al-Atawneh for his poem (The Whistling of Clouds).
The Director of Cultural Facilities and Programs in GAM, Abdul Hadi Raji Al Majali, indicated that the award comes within the role of the Greater Amman Municipality in supporting the cultural and artistic sector in the Kingdom, and aims to encourage poets and support the cultural movement in Amman and Jordan, pointing out that dozens of poets applied for the award in its fourth edition, which he supervised. The winners are evaluated and selected by a specialised committee of poets and writers.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Amman, Muhammad Rasmi Al-Qaisi, the Executive Director of Jerash Festival, Ayman Samawi, and a number of members of GAM Council and directors of the relevant departments.