Qatari poet Suad Al-Kuwari holds a bachelor’s degree from Qatar University and works as a cultural advisor at the Ministry of Culture in Qatar. She writes both classical and vernacular poetry.
Her first attempt at writing poetry was during her university years, where her early works took shape.
(Asf News) met with poet Al-Kuwari and the following is an excerpt from their interview:
• Every poet has a childhood filled with love and passion. What was your childhood like, and when did you begin writing poetry?
She answered: My childhood was very ordinary, in a family that didn’t directly prioritize culture, but rather education. The family was keen on ensuring that all its members had a high level of education, and this instilled in me a love of reading from a young age. However, the form of writing I was drawn to wasn’t clear; I exercised my right to express myself in simple, vague ways. Then came university, and my interest and desire to continue in the literary field led me to study Arabic language and literature. My subsequent work in the cultural sector motivated me to continue and dedicate myself to cultural work out of genuine passion and love for the field.
• What did Suad Al-Kuwari rely on in her poetic vocabulary, given that most poets focus on themes of distance and longing in their poems?
• *She answered: I relied on my cultural background, a blend of my love for world literature and the cultures of other peoples, combined with my local culture. This created a harmonious mix in my literary works, especially in my five poetry collections written in classical Arabic. Readers can clearly sense the intermingling and blending of cultures through the vocabulary I used.
I also drew upon my personal experiences when addressing various topics, which gave me a unique style. Perhaps the cultural scene in my city at the time didn’t readily accept it, but it later became a distinctive feature of my writing.
•Who supported you, family or friends?
*She answered: Of course, my family, especially the small family I built with my husband. He was my primary support in continuing my journey. My friends also shared my love for cultural work, and their support was the cornerstone upon which I later built my literary empire.
•Why did you fall in love with writing poetry?
She answered: “My poetry was born from the various life experiences I’ve had and lived through. I was influenced by those who came into my life, but what truly guided and supported me was a large group of followers and critics, including my teachers at school and university. Later, my family and my work environment played a significant role. I managed a cultural salon for a long time, which helped me gain experience and knowledge from the salon’s patrons. Their support and feedback were instrumental in my continued success.”
•How many poetry collections have you published?
*She answered: I have published several works:
1- My Soul Was Not (2000) Classical Arabic Poetry
2- Heir of the Desert (2001) Classical Arabic Poetry
3- In Search of Life (2001) Classical Arabic Poetry
4- A New Door to Enter (2001) Classical Arabic Poetry
5- Queen of the Mountains (2004) Classical Arabic Poetry
6- Complete Poetic Works 2022
National Spoken Poetry:
1- Qatar Is Different (Lyric National Poetry)
•Have you had an experience that influenced you poetically?
*She answered: Yes, there are many life experiences that have influenced me both personally and creatively, resulting in this body of literary work. My experiences moving from one environment to another have enriched my writing with diverse psychological states. The rapid development witnessed in the Gulf countries, evident to all, has also contributed to a more positive life and empowered women to participate, assert their presence, and work alongside men in building society. All of this has significantly impacted my poetic experience.
•Have you participated in any local or international events?
*She answered: Yes, I have participated in many local and international events. These were wonderful opportunities to meet other poets and experience the direct interaction with the audience, something we greatly miss now that these festivals have disappeared or participation has diminished with the rise of social media and the transformation of communication. Now everyone has their own channel. Communication has become more difficult; there is no longer a central platform for us to gather around. Instead, each artist has their own platform, and the audience has to seek out the artist. While this development is positive, it requires considerable effort to reach and establish oneself.
Her participations included:
The Doha Cultural Festival (2002),
The Al-Khansa Festival in the Sultanate of Oman (2002),
The Gulf Cultural Month organized by the Emirates Writers Union in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi (2002),
The Al-Bajrawiya Festival in Sudan (2002),
The Spring of Poetry Festival in Paris organized by the Arab World Institute (2003),
Assigned as a jury member for the short story competition within the cultural activities plan (2002),
The Al-Mutanabbi Festival in Subsra (2004),
The Medellín Festival in Colombia (2005),
I was selected by the World Poetry Movement, based in Chile, as an ambassador for Arabic poetry representing the State of Qatar, among 18 Arab poets chosen as ambassadors for poetry representing their countries, out of a total of 3,500 poets from five continents.
• When did you begin writing songs, and what are your most important works in this field?
• She answered: I started writing songs in 2015.
Her most important works include:
– My testimony about you is biased, by artist Adel Ibrahim, 2015.
– My soul is sacrificed for you, by artist Aayel, 2015.
– It doesn’t matter, by artist Zainab Al-Abdullah, 2015.
– Finally, you’re being kind to me, by artist Nasser Suhaim, 2016.
– Hero, by artist Qusay Dawood, 2017.
– Believe me, by artist Lamia, 2017.
– First love, by artist Abbas Al-Amir, 2018.
– My family’s love, by artist Abbas Al-Amir, 2018.
– You’re on my mind, by artist Abbas Al-Amir, 2018.
– It takes a while, you see, by artist Mohammed Al-Haidous, 2018.
– I haven’t forgotten you, by artist Abbas Al-Amir, 2018.
– God is sufficient for me, by artist Diaa Al-Safeer, 2018. – They’ve changed, unfortunately. Artist Diaa Al-Safeer, 2018.
– On Heel, Artist Diaa Al-Safeer, 2018.
– My Eternal Love, Artists Abbas Al-Amir and Hanin Haddad, 2018.
– I Miss You Every Moment, Artist Abbas Al-Amir, 2019.
– You’re on My Mind, Artists Al-Amir and Basem Al-Aboud, 2019.
– You’re on My Mind, Artist Abbas Al-Amir.
– My Dream
“Al-Wardi” by artist Bader Al-Badiri, 2019.
“Mamnounak” by artist Abbas Al-Amir, 2020.
“Mo Aadatak” by artist Almas, 2020.
“Bil-Mathal” by artist Jawahir, 2020.
“Kullak Asal” by artist Laila Al-Kandari, 2020.
“Hey Shno” by artists Noura and Abbas Al-Amir, 2020.
“Ghammed Einak” by artist Abbas Al-Amir, 2021.
“Ummi” by artist Suad, 2021.
“Al-Hob Al-Qawi” by artist Abbas Al-Amir, 2021.
“Al-Jamal Hob” by artist Nasser Suhaim, 2021.
“Qanun Al-Hob” by artist Abbas Al-Amir, 2021.
“Malini Hob” by artists Abbas Al-Amir and Laith Abu Joudah, 2021.
“Athkur Sawtak” by artist Abbas Al-Amir, 2021.
“Shouraikum” by artist Mohammed Al-Hashemi, 2022. – My Angel, by artist Abbas Al-Amir, 2022.
– I Was With You, by artist Abbas Al-Amir, 2022.
As for national artistic works:
1- We Adore Your Land, Qatar, composed by Mishari Al-Awadhi, performed by the Kuwait Choir, 2018.
2- Long Live Qatar, House of Music, 2018.
3- God Is My Witness – Anwar, 2022.
• Who is your role model in poetry?
*She answered: In my early days, I was greatly influenced by translated poetry. The poet Tagore had the greatest impact, and the French poet Jacques Prévert also had a special place in my heart. Later, I was influenced by prose poets, especially those from the Arabian Gulf, such as Qasim Haddad, Saif Al-Rahbi, Dhubiya Khamis, and many others, as well as Mahmoud Darwish and Adonis. After that, I began reading songwriters like Abdul Latif Al-Bannai, Saher, Khalid Al-Faisal, and many more. Each poet I read influenced me indirectly and impacted my creative experience.
• Poetry has meters, as they say. Which meter did you choose?
• She answered: Indeed, in my early days, I was interested in the topic of meters, but I later moved beyond that because the writing style I use is very different from this restrictive style.
• Which poem introduced you to the public?
• She answered: My first collection of poems, “My Soul Was Not,” began to take shape, forming a continuous thread of experience that extends from “Heir of the Desert” and “Queen of the Mountains” to “The Search for Life.”
For me, experience is a continuous and interconnected journey.
• A final word to conclude our interview?
* She answered: Thank you so much for this opportunity to share a little of what resides within me. I hope my experience has reached those interested in the cultural scene, and that I can be one of those who have upheld integrity and remained dedicated to cultural work.