The city of Marrakech, Morocco, recently hosted its first-ever poetry conference, titled "Lababa," which brought together researchers and scholars to discuss the concept of prose poetry. The event, held on September 26, 2026, at the Sidi Youssef Ben Ali Media Library, was organized by the Lababa Association for Creativity, Development, and Communication, in partnership with the Sidi Youssef Ben Ali district council and the Social Works Foundation for Education.
The conference featured a scientific symposium on "Language and Body in Arabic Prose Poetry: A Reflection of Contemporary Humanity?" which was led by Professor Moulay Ali Al-Khamri and Dr. Fatiha Al-Muizzi. The discussion focused on the emergence of prose poetry, its relationship with language, philosophy, and image, and its ability to express contemporary human experiences. The symposium also explored the historical context of prose poetry and its development over time.
During the conference, Professor Al-Khamri highlighted the importance of understanding the historical context of prose poetry and its relationship with various literary and philosophical movements. He also discussed the role of the reader, writer, and text in shaping the meaning of prose poetry. Meanwhile, Dr. Al-Muizzi presented a summary of the key points discussed during the symposium, emphasizing the significance of exploring the language and body in prose poetry.
Renowned poet and critic, Mohamed Dadesi, also participated in the conference, presenting a paper on the concept of prose poetry and its relationship with the body. Dadesi questioned the use of the term "prose poetry," arguing that it is not suitable for this genre of poetry. Instead, he proposed using the term "contemporary poetry" to better reflect the characteristics of this form.
Dadesi's presentation also explored the concept of the body in poetry, tracing its representation from ancient philosophical texts to modern times. He discussed how the body has been perceived and represented in poetry throughout history, highlighting the differences in how male and female bodies are depicted. Dadesi also examined the use of imagery and metaphor in contemporary poetry to represent the body.
The conference concluded with an open discussion session, where attendees had the opportunity to engage with the speakers and share their thoughts on the topic. The event was well-received, with participants praising the initiative and expressing their enthusiasm for future events. The conference organizers also announced plans to hold future events, including a lecture on a related topic.
The Lababa conference aims to promote creativity, development, and communication in the field of poetry and literature. By bringing together scholars and researchers, the event provided a platform for intellectual exchange and discussion, highlighting the significance of prose poetry in contemporary literature.
Key points
- The conference explored the concept of prose poetry and its relationship with language, philosophy, and the body.
- The event featured a scientific symposium on "Language and Body in Arabic Prose Poetry: A Reflection of Contemporary Humanity?"
- The conference concluded with an open discussion session, where attendees had the opportunity to engage with the speakers and share their thoughts on the topic.
