ATHENS — The 3rd Meeting of Greek & Arab Poets was held online on Wednesday, this time in celebration of women poets in the two countries' literary traditions.

Under the title “Women in Greek and Arabic Poetry”, participants from both countries read verses and discussed common elements and special features in women's poetry.

The event was organized by the Center of Greek & Arabic Literature and Culture (KELALP) of the non-profit organisation CulturePolis, under the auspices of the Secretariat General for Greeks Abroad & Public Diplomacy of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was coordinated by KELALP Director Persa Koumoutsi, author and translator of Arabic literature.

The ministry's Secretary General for Greeks Abroad & Public Diplomacy Prof. John Chrysoulakis addressed the event, while Greek poet and lyricist Lina Nikolakopoulou opened proceedings.

Several women poets took part in the event: Lily Michaelides (Cyprus), Nujoom Alhganem (United Arab Emirates), Athina Papadaki (Greece), Aisha el Seifi (Oman) and Lamia Makaddam (Tunisia).

The reading of poems and the speeches were held in both Greek and Arabic, with translations by Dr Khaled Raouf (Greek to Arabic) and Persa Koumoutsi (Arabic to Greek).