ICESCO Celebrates Samarkand as Cultural Capital with Poetry Contest

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has launched the second edition of its cities of poems competition, which this year is dedicated to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, celebrating the city's status as the Islamic World Capital of Culture for 2025.
 A specialized committee from ICESCO and a panel of poets will select three winners. The prizes are $3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second, and $1,000 for third, along with certificates of appreciation.
 The competition aims to strengthen the connection between poetry and place, documenting the history and aesthetics of cities, and honoring the civilizations of the Islamic world through poetic expression.