The discussion on the relationship between poetry and politics, and the role of utopia as a catalyst for political action, took center stage in a debate organized on Saturday as part of the second edition of the Marrakech African Book Festival (FLAM).
Featuring insights from Mozambican writer and poet Mia Couto, Angolan Portuguese-language journalist, writer, and publisher José Eduardo Agualusa, and Moroccan poet, writer, and translator Abdelatif LaSbi, this gathering provided an ideal platform to underscore the significance of collective dreaming, the relevance of contemporary utopias, and the profound impact of poetry in anti-colonial struggles.
Abdelatif LaSbi remarked that this event presented a significant opportunity to champion the literary world and the endeavors of writers and poets, highlighting the existence of various sub-continents within the Continent that remain unfamiliar to many.
José Eduardo Agualusa emphasized the indispensable nature of poetry, asserting that major political movements h
ave often been preceded by influential literary movements. He stressed the necessity for people to collectively envision a brighter future to realize it, citing the late Mário Coelho Pinto de Andrade as an exemplar of political activism and utopian ideals, whose legacy resonates even in Morocco.
Navigating the intersection between politics and poetry, the role of utopia was characterized by Laabi as a potent force capable of fostering widespread political consciousness. Advocating for a blend of pessimism in reason and optimism in willpower, he examined various utopian models, including those specific to the Maghreb and Africa, which fueled the liberation struggles against colonial oppression.
Mia Couto shared her personal journey, recounting her involvement with the Mozambique Liberation Front at a young age, where her poetic talent played a pivotal role. Expressing conviction that fear often drives individuals towards misguided political choices, she emphasized throughout her discourse the vital role of d
reams and utopia in shaping a better tomorrow.
Source: Agency Morocaine De Presse
Damascus, SANA – Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad , met with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, in Damascus.
In a press conference held by the two sides following the meeting, Minister Mikdad said ‘The Iranian delegation held detailed discussions with President Bashar al-Assad, which dealt with all developments in the region, especially the heroic steadfastness of our people in the Gaza Strip,’.
Minister Mikdad said that the views of our two countries are identical in the support that must be provided to our people in the Gaza Strip in the face of genocide committed by the Israeli occupation’.
Mikdad stressed the need for the American and Turkish occupation forces to leave Syrian territory, stressing that the crimes committed by these forces are crimes against humanity and they must be held accountable for them.
The minister said that the repeated aggressions by the Zionist entity on Syrian lands were caused by Syrian resistance to this entity and its plans since its establi
shment on the land of Palestine.
For his part, Abdollahian said ‘I discussed with President al-Assad the latest developments in the region and regional and international issues, and there is a will among the leadership of our two countries to achieve remarkable progress in cooperation in various economic, commercial and industrial fields.’.
Abdollahian added: ‘I conveyed an official invitation from Ebrahim Raisi to President Assad to visit Iran.’.
The Iranian Minster condemned the illegal presence of the US forces on Syrian territory, expressing his condolences to the Syrian people for the victims of the recent American aggression.
Abdollahian affirmed his country’s rejection of the Zionist entity’s plans to forcibly displace the Palestinian people from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, stressing that this entity’s attacks in the region will not remain unanswered.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon