In an exceptional evening that transcended the boundaries of language and geography, the Centre Franco-Omanais (CFO) hosted a unique cultural event as part of the “French Weeks.” It was not merely a traditional poetry evening, but rather a vivid dialogue blending the depth of Omani heritage, the vibrancy of contemporary French art, and the magic of Eastern music that united these worlds.

The evening brought together two literary figures in a dual-performance style featuring two voices and two languages, where authentic Arabic poetry met the dynamic French art of slam:

Aisha Al Saifi: The celebrated Omani poetess, the first woman to win the Omani Poetry Festival, and the first Arab woman to be crowned “Prince of Poets” in Abu Dhabi. Aisha took the audience on a journey through her evocative poetry, including pieces from her collection The Sea Changes its Gown, exploring themes of identity, heritage, and the human experience.

Jérôme Pinel: The renowned French slam artist and winner of both the Slam World Cup (Paris 2019) and the National Slam Championship (2018). Jérôme brought raw energy and dynamic rhythms to the stage, merging the power of words with genuine emotion.

Words alone, despite their power, require a soul to translate them into cross-cultural emotions. This is where the role of music manifested during the evening; I accompanied the poetic performances with the melodies of the oud, adding a magical musical layer to the event.

Through the music of the oud, I aimed to build an emotional bridge connecting the Arabic and French languages. This transformed the poetry reading into an integrated experience where the vocal rhythms of Jérôme and Aisha harmonized with authentic Eastern notes, creating an enchanting and unforgettable atmosphere for the audience.

Events like this, hosted by the Centre Franco-Omanais on April 15th, reaffirm the power of the arts to foster mutual dialogue. When poetry meets music, and when classical Arabic verses merge with the rhythms of Western slam, we are reminded that human creativity truly knows no borders.