Poet Suad Al-Kuwari believes that poetry fosters cultural understanding between peoples and contributes to showcasing creativity. She embarked on her writing journey early, entering the publishing world in 2000, and her work has since been published in succession. She then focused on cultural activities before returning to compile her complete works into a single collection. She has participated in international poetry evenings and events, and the World Poetry Movement, founded by Colombian poet Fernando and headquartered in Colombia, previously nominated her as its poetry coordinator in Qatar. Here is the text of our interview with her:

What is the story behind your first poem? Was it printed or created?

I honestly don’t remember the first text, perhaps because I always write and consider every piece of writing to be my first. But if we’re going to consider the first text to be the first collection, then this is the experience I can truly call my first. It earned its place and the right to be published, becoming a reality I can neither ignore nor deny, even though I’ve ignored many previous experiences. But since it became a reality in my life, let’s say that the collection “It Wasn’t My Soul” is the first text that deserves recognition.

Who stood behind the female poet, supporting, motivating, and guiding her in a society that doesn’t tolerate dissent?

The rebellious female voice needs external support to persevere and resist all circumstances. However, with a husband who understands and appreciates such things, the difficulties diminish. He was always with me at every stage I went through, which enabled me to continue strongly despite everything I went through. He was supportive and endorsed everything I thought about. I owe him everything I have achieved.

Your writing possesses a unique, modern spirit unlike any other. Where did this spirit spring from?

From life itself, from the diverse readings I’ve encountered, from the belief that we are all different, each with our own distinct voice—a belief I’ve always insisted we must preserve. Many things have shaped this spirit.

Did your initial environment play a role in nurturing the seed of creativity, or kindling the embers of brilliance? And who was the mentor behind that first step?

Indeed, there were subtle influences I wasn’t aware of, but I sensed them from the very beginning. I felt something different, something provocatively intertwined with my life, and I always thought it was normal, so I didn’t give it any importance. I was exercising my right to life and searching for the self that resisted any form of challenge. It came in different forms until it finally settled on this form that has become inseparable from me, and I don’t know what to call it. Although I haven’t settled on other writing styles, at the end of the gamble, I’ve settled on this form that defies categorization, something somewhat strange yet familiar. The ember of creativity still glows despite the experiences and years that have passed, and at each stage there’s a different mentor. Perhaps they resemble each other in form but differ in content, but in the end, I still feel like I’m taking the first step.

Were you a shadow or an extension of fathers whose experiences were reflected in you?

Absolutely. I am an extension of many names that have shaped my creative taste since time immemorial, and I still feel their ghosts lurking everywhere. Sometimes I search for them, for I am a mixture of past and present experiences that I am still cautiously exploring.