Ministry of Culture launches its honoring artists program

Traditional Yemeni dance choreographed by al-Hammami

Honor is the reward all artists wait for to feel appreciated for their toil and skill, and to feel that their work has not gone unrecognized. Honor for artists in any field of art – from singing to poetry, literature to painting or anything else – pushes artists to greater creative heights. Unfortunately, as many writers pointed out to the Yemen Observer, oftentimes honorees pass away before getting the chance to enjoy this experience. 

Since 2004 – when Sana’a was proclaimed the Capital of Arab Culture – the Ministry of Culture has honored many artists in various fields. Minister of Culture, Dr.Abu Baker al-Muflhi, honored a number of singers and poets in recognition of their great contribution to the cultural arena in Yemen last Saturday at the Culture House. The honorees were late singer Ahmed Saleh al-Abrash, dance trainer Mohammed Ahmed al-Hamami, poet Ahmed Saeed bo Sab’ah, poet Saleh al-Ahmadi, who excelled in the poetry competition in Syria last year, and poet Amer bin Amro, who excelled in the Poet of the Million competition in Abu Dhabi this year and won third place.

Al-Muflhi said that this honorary celebration of these great artists is a recognition of what they have contributed to society. “This celebration is a token of gratitude to pay them back for what they have done. The honorees are the ones that made this celebration beautiful, whilst those attending came to share these happy moments with us,” said al-Muflhi. The Minister of Culture announced in his speech that honoring of artists in all fields will continue for the remainder of the year and hopefully be an annual practice as well. Al-Muflhi added that the ministry’s tribute program will celebrate other artists in July and the following months on different occasions, not just in Sana’a but also in all other governorates. 

“These awards are sponsored by President Ali Abdullah Saleh as he is keen on honoring creative people and artists and to improve their situation and allow them to feel that their work is appreciated,” said al-Muflhi.

Grandson of Ahmed Saleh al-Abrash performs on aood

Singer Mohammed Ahmed al-Hamami thanked the President on behalf of all honorees and thanked the Minister of Culture and all the attendees. He then spoke of what a celebration like this means to him and the great effect it has on artists’ spirits and their lives at large when one is honored in his or her lifetime. He also said that this appreciation pushes them to further explore their talents and creativity and to thus serve their people, society and nations.   

Poet Ahmed Saeed bo Sab’ah then recited some of his poetry, starting with a poem about unification entitled “Sana’a Hugged al-Mukla” and followed by “You’re My Sweetheart”, a poem that depicted his love for Yemen. All the poems performed won the applause of the audience.

After this, the Arts Group of the Ministry of Culture performed some traditional dances that were choreographed by dance trainer Mohammed Ahmed al-Hamami when he was the head of the National Band for Folkloric Arts. 

Poet Amer bin Amro, named Poet of the Million, recited some of his patriotic poetry, commencing with a poem he composed the day before especially for this celebration describing his great delight in visiting his homeland. He expressed in the poem his great love for his homeland that he missed throughout his years away from Yemen. In this poem he mentioned all the cities of Yemen by name, distinguishing each one through their artifacts, agriculture and particular sites, in a wonderful recitation and performance that won the applause of the audience.  Poet Amer also continued his recitation after strong demands from the audience and recited the poem that won him the prize in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, that depicted his pride for his Yemeni roots, the great civilizations Sheba, and Humair, and hailing all Yemeni achievements throughout history. 

The fourth honoree, poet Saleh al-Ahmadi, who ranked second in the poetry competition in Syria last year, thanked the people who organized the event and recited some of his poetry on Yemen. 

General Manager of the National Band for Folkloric Arts, Ali al-Amodi, talked about the great contributions of Ahmed Saleh al-Abrash and Mohammed Ahmed al-Hamami and what they have given to their country in the fields of national and patriotic songs, in addition to their contributions in documenting folkloric arts and all different Yemeni dances. 

The surprise of the celebration was the grandson of Ahmed Saleh al-Abrash, a seven-year-old boy, who performed some of his grandfather patriotic love songs playing the lute (Aood).

The event ended with the Minister of Culture awarding the honorees a bouquet of flowers and medals of the Ministry.

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