Emirati writer and poet Shamma Al Bastaki participated in the events of the Taobuk Literary Festival in the city of Taormina, Sicily, presenting to a global audience a unique poetic experience that blends languages and literary genres, contributing to the enhancement of cultural dialogue between the United Arab Emirates and Europe.
Al Bastaki moves between the worlds of poetry and visual arts in her creative practice. Her latest publication, inspired by the memory of Dubai Creek, weaves together a blend of poems, oral history, and photographic collage art to document and preserve the details of daily life and memories passed down through generations.
The writer and poet's participation in the Taobuk Festival was crowned by the launch of a new strategic partnership between the Sicilian festival and the Emirates Literature Foundation, marking the first joint collaborative initiative between the two parties under the umbrella of the World Federation of Literary Festivals.
During the festival, Al Bastaki participated in the opening of an exhibition by renowned international artist Anish Kapoor with a distinguished poetry reading. Kapoor cited one of her poems in his address, praising the creative intersection and deep harmony between her words and his own creative process.
Al Bastaki also took part in a panel discussion in Taormina, during which she spoke about her latest publication Bait li Bait: House to House, with the session concluding in a book-signing ceremony.