Saudi Gazette report

Taif — Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah and Adviser to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, opened the Arabic Poetry Academy at Taif University on Saturday.

He said the Academy, the idea of which came about five years ago, will be a pioneering cultural institution.

It will be a minaret of Arab identity, Prince Khaled said.

He said the Academy will not be restricted to the local scene, but it will have an international outlook.

A committee has been set up to discuss all subjects related to the Arabic Poetry Academy, its goals and programs.

The Academy is located in the courtyard of King Saud Historical Palace which currently houses the Faculty of Arts.

The Academy’s architectural design reflects its identity and its various activities to serve Arabic poetry.

The Academy has specious halls to host seminars, lectures, poetry evenings, debates and dialogues.

It also has an audio-visual library and an ample collection of Arabic poetry works.

The Academy will also honor creative people with the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal prize which has a support allocation of SR1 million.

The prize will have two categories: SR600,000 for the elderly and SR400,000 for people under 30 years of age.