Qatar National Library in collaboration with the German embassy in Doha and the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region, recently hosted a ‘Poetry Slam’ workshop, followed by a public performance, as part of the Qatar Germany 2017 Year of Culture.
The three-day workshop was delivered by German poetry slammers and instructors, Julian Heun and Dominique Macri.
To celebrate the conclusion of the event, the participants performed their newly-written poems at the Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Student Centre in Education City to the public.
Macri recalled that the participants came from different nationalities and spoke different languages, which created an energetic and varied atmosphere on stage. “It also emphasised the fact that using the same language is not important – I always say if you don’t understand a poem, just feel it.” 
Heun commented that the workshop aimed to help participants conquer their stage fright by providing them with the tools to tap into their creativity and develop their writing skills. “It was great to experience how the participants came together and supported each other to find their own voice.” 
Qatar Germany 2017 Year of Culture is a year-long programme to deepen understanding between nations through the mutual exchange of arts, culture, heritage and sports, developed by Qatar Museums in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region, the German embassy in Doha and the Qatar embassy in Germany.