Dubaï, U.A.E. - Throughout its exceptional history, Vacheron Constantin has been devoted to culture, arts and discovery, and committed to searching for and promoting talent. To highlight its values and encourage young poets in the Middle East, the brand has created the Vacheron Constantin Arabic poetry contest.

 

To honour the winners, Vacheron Constantin organized an Awards ceremony at the American University in Dubaï on November 30,2007. It was held in the presence of Mr. Ebrahim Abdel Malek, Secretary General of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare representing H.E Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development of the UAE, Mr. Juan-Carlos Torres, CEO of Vacheron Constantin, Mr Marc Guten, International Director and Mr Hugues de Pins, Director of Vacheron Constantin Middle East.

 

The ceremony commenced with a show that introduced the concept of Arabic poetry in a sensational ambience that merged live music and poetry with reflective theatre effects. Further, the jury members chaired by renowned poets and authors were honoured, then the show continued with the finalists reciting their poems, both in classical and contemporary categories, with pieces that depicted the aspect of “beauty” in the Homeland, Education and Love.

 

During his speech, Mr. Ebrahim Abdel Malek said “The initiative of Vacheron Constantin represents the appreciative intentions of consciousness and respect to the promotion of the cultural aspect of the society, presented in a concept that enlivens beauty in the human nature.”

 

Mr. Juan-Carlos Torres, Vacheron Constantin’s CEO, said: “The first Vacheron Constantin Poetry contest is a part of the brand’s initiative to impart knowledge to the young generations. Vacheron Constantin aims at encouraging young and promising poets, challenge and reward the best talents, and continue to develop new projects with them. The first Vacheron Constantin Arabic Poetry contest was a great opportunity to get the very heart of the creative and imaginative life force.”

 

The winner in the classical category was Najat Ateeq Al Thaheri from the United Arab Emirates University, and in the contemporary category Yousif Al Ali from the High Institute of legal and judicial science.

 

Mr. Ebrahim Abdel Malek presented the awards to the participants and Mr. Juan-Carlos Torres offered each of the winners a Vacheron Constantin watch especially engraved for the occasion. The ceremony concluded with applause from the members of the audience, each of whom left with a copy of the commemorative book.

 

Photo-captions:

- Contemporary Poetry Winner - Yousif Al Ali with Ebrahim Abdel Malek, Juan-Carlos Torres and Rola Al-Haj from Vacheron Constantin.

- Classic Poetry Winner – Najat Al Thaheri with Ebrahim Abdel Malek, Juan-Carlos Torres and Rola Al-Haj from Vacheron Constantin.

- Sara Humaid Khalifa.

- The show at the beginning of the ceremony.

- Khalid Al Qahtani.