Ousha BINT KHALIFA AL SUWAIDI
The Magnificent Fatat Al Arab
The charm of Nabati poetry is the greatest treasure of Arab literature.
It is well known the musicality of Arabic language, the multiple meanings of the words and the colourful expressions used in the old verses of the poems.
Since many years I’m a devoted visitor of Al Ain, that marvelous place where we can ind all possible colors of nature, sand, sky, endless romantic source for any lyricist,
poet, writer, musician.
My irst encounter with the magic of Al Ain was 22 years a go, attending a literature festivity organized by General Women Union under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Al Kutbi.
He serenity of the place and the sound of the sands, palms and lowers, was overwhelming. Despite the noisy conversation with so many other international guests, each one of us could ind his own piece of Heaven - jasmine lowers, mango fruits and the most beautiful Emirati poems translated for us, the foreigners, verses speaking with nostalgia about the ancient Bedouin times, tends , dates , palm trees and the long journey between
the dunes over the centuries.
He author of the poems was the Pearl of Emirati literature, Gulf Laureate Poetess, Arab Laureate Poetess , the magniicent Ousha Bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi - Empress of Emirati Poetry.
Now , 22 years distance from that festivity event, in Dubai, admiring the most beautiful sunset blooming in golden - lamboyant nuances, tasting the miraculous aternoon tea prepared with such inesse and etiquette by my beautiful friend Wedad Al Kaabi, we remember and we honor the fabulous personality of the great Ousha Al Suwaidi.
She isn’t anymore between us but her poetry remains the treasure of Emirati literature, Arab literature, the most representative woman poetess of her times.
Wedad is telling me her story with emotional details, speaking passionate with deep respect and veneration.
Ousha Bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi, born in Al Ain 1920, moved later to Dubai, started to write poems at the early age of 14.
Extremely talented, gited with the delicacy of words, she was able to create inspirational poems, embroidery of expressions and emotional stories, bringing the Nabati traditional poetry at the highest level.
She wasn’t only awarded and celebrated , more than that Ousha Al Suwaidi was entitled as Fatat Al Arab, Daughter of the Arabs.
She is an inspiration for generations of writers, poets and singers, venerated and loved as the Muse of her times.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, impressed and inspired by the fabulous literature of the legendary poetess , dedicated her his irst poems collection published in 1989.
Ousha Al Suwaidi let this world 27 july 2018 at the venerable age of 98. Her literature , result of her huge talent, creativity, imagination, is part of the history of UAE.
Her poems are a cultural treasure, precious and unique.
Here is an entire loor dedicated to the poetess at Women’s Museum in Dubai.
Marvelous poems, the symbol of a woman’s emotional, intellectual and artistic soul.
Fatat Al Arab is eternal.
Monica Mergiu
ROYAL ARTS VISIONS; Ousha BINT KHALIFA AL SUWAIDI