• Home

This one’s for Africa

SOMEONE’S rummage is another one’s treasure. With this saying in mind, Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resort is now booking tables for a charity flea market, with proceeds to help the slum children of Kenya.

The flea market will take place on March 9, at Sheraton’s Arzanah Ballroom, from 9am till 2pm. The hotel is already taking in bookings, with 60 tables already reserved.

“Tables are still available at a cost of Dh250 per table, which will support the Impoverished Children project in Kibera, the largest slum in Kenya,” said Martina Venus, director of Public Relations at Sheraton.

The previous flea markets, which began in late 2010 and went on regularly every three to four months, became increasingly popular, reaching nearly 100 exhibitors and several hundred visitors per event. In total, more than Dh150.000 have been raised to date, benefiting several charity organisations and initiatives locally but also internationally.

Being the only second hand bazaar in Abu Dhabi, Sheraton’s Charity Flea Market attracts residents of various nationalities, about to leave the country, moving home or simply doing a spring cleaning. Electronics, clothes, home and fashion accessories, as well as children’s toys are among the most popular items, but also books, CDs and DVDs, art, musical instruments and even small furniture may be found for sale. The general rule is that all objects must be second hand and in good condition. Occasionally, artisans are bringing over their jewellery or other handicrafts, but the hotel reminds them this is a second hand market, not a bazaar.

The table fee will directly support the Impoverished Children project in Kibera, Kenya. This privately run orphanage/school grants access to basic education to more than 75 children, aged 3-7 years old, from the poorest areas in Kibera. The children are provided with basic necessities in order to receive a chance in life. The orphanage/school is run by an Australian expat, who is funding the project mainly by herself and the assistance of friends and small businesses donations. The orphanage/school is however registered as a legal charity organization. For further information visit http://impoverishedchildren.org/kibera.html or http://impoverishedchildren.org/kibera.html. Table reservations have to be made in advance at 02-6773333 or at sheraton.abudhabi@sheraton.com.

CALLING ALL POETS!

ARE YOU a poet? Do you write your verses in classical Arabic? Than this one is for you!

The Poetry Academy at the Committee for Festivals, Cultural and Heritage Programmes announced that it has begun to accept submissions for its fifth edition of the Prince of Poets, the prestigious Classical Arabic poetry contest. These will be accepted until March 3, 2013.

The age of admissible candidates has been limited between 18 and 45 years old, and each submission must consist of one poem composed in classical Arabic. All entries must be typed and sent by email as an attachment to: pop@tcaabudhabi.ae or printed out and faxed to: 00971 2 643 3323. Handwritten poems will not be accepted. The traditional classical Arabic “amudi” poetry (in column form), as well as free verse or “taf’ila” (metric) poems are accepted. Prose poems are not.

Each candidate poet is advised to send either one “amudi” poem consisting of at least 20 lines and not exceeding 30 lines, or one “taf’ila” poem consisting of no more than two stanzas, each containing a maximum of 15 lines.

Along with the poems, candidates must send a typed résumé specifying their date of birth, favourite activities and literary achievements, in addition to their permanent address in their home country, email and contact numbers.

In the last edition of the competition, which wrapped up in February 2011, the Prince of Poets’ title went to the Yemeni poet Abdul Aziz Al Zaraei. In 2008 and 2009, the Mauritanian poet Mohamed Ould Bemba and the Syrian poet Hassan Baiti clinched the title, respectively. In the first edition of the show, in 2008, the title went to the UAE’s own Abdul Kareem Maatouq.

During its first four editions, the Prince of Poets has seen a remarkable candidate turnout, with thousands of Arab and Arabic-speaking poets entering the contest. Thanks to Abu Dhabi’s efforts to rekindle interest in poetry, the show has succeeded in digging up 125 poetic talents through its dedicated television programme, which is watched in various parts of the world.

silvia@khaleejtimes.com