Faisal, Emir of Makkah region and Chairman of Supervision Committee of Souq Okaz, said that the event, which is set to start today seeks to promote and encourage creativity and modernity in the Arab World. “Souq Okaz does not seek to only reflect the past, but also to reflect current and future literary works,” Prince Khaled was quoted by Asharq Alawsat Arabic newspaper. For the first time, he said, Souq Okaz will organize “Okaz the Future,” which will focus on the future of human beings and offer new cultural and technical ideas. Prince Khaled said Okaz Poet and Okaz Youth awards won't be offered this year because while there are poets in the Arab World who deserve them, “the literary works submitted this year didn't meet the high standards of the awards.” Arab poets should not focus on competing for the award; they should let their work speak for itself and let award-giving committees look for it, he said. Although the awards will not be given out, there will be poetry activities, Prince Khaled said. “Many famous Arab poets will participate and read their poems during the program of cultural nights,” he said. Souq Okaz is also offering a complete theater show about the famous Arab pre-Islamic poet Zuhair Bin Abi Sulma and a symposium about his poems, Prince Khaled was quoted by the newspaper as saying.
