On June 22, 2025, Toufiq Zohur hosted Uddan Little Magazine Live Show: Episode 220—a special edition titled “Poetry Reading – Poetry Listening”, envisioned as a vibrant playground for the soul. Here, poetry breathes life into thousands of hearts and transforms minds. It’s a space to read, listen to, and live poetry.
As part of Uddan‘s ongoing mission, this episode features some of the most important and widely discussed poets of our time from around the world. With joy and pride, we present this special event, celebrating poetry across a variety of themes and voices.
Toufiq Zohur (b. 15 December 1973, Bogra, Bangladesh) is a renowned poet, essayist, and editor, active since the 1990s. With a Bachelor’s in Bengali Literature, his creative journey began in journalism. He authored the acclaimed research book Al-Mahmoud and Others (2004), and several poetry collections including Thirsnarta Chokher Akuti, Pakhi Bikri Kahini, Ke Amake Deke Niye Jay Bare Bare, and Ei Shahore Amar Kono Premika Nai. His collaborations with poets Trisna Basak and Kushal Bhowmick expanded his cross-border literary influence. Zohur is editor of Uddan, a little magazine on art, literature, and philosophy since 1998, and founder of the International Poetry Carnival (2020). His works have been translated into multiple languages and featured globally. He serves as ambassador for cultural organizations in Tunisia, Mexico, and Morocco, and was recently honored with the Golden Eagle World Award for Literature 2025. He believes: “The sky of poetry is one.”
He wrote:
Dear friends, don’t miss this remarkable gathering on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at 9:00 PM (Bangladesh time). Ten global poets from seven different countries will come together for an exclusive poetry recital that promises to inspire and connect hearts across borders.”
The show started with Charu Hoque (Bangladesh). She is a notable Bangladeshi poet whose voice emerged in the literary scene of the 2000s. Born on April 3 in Netrakona, he is the son of renowned poet Nurul Haque and Ferdousi Sultana. His poetic journey began under the rural skies of Bangladesh, nurtured by his father’s poetic sensibility. A graduate in English Literature from the University of Dhaka, Charu has also served as a government college teacher. He is the recipient of the Desh Mandulipi Poetry Award (2014). His published works include Patajhar Shabd Pai (2009), Ghulo Bananer Chithi (2012), Amar Bhed Hawar Basabari (2015), and Sugandhit Dukhgulo (2015). His Sreshtho Poeti (2023) earned him selection for the Behula Bangla platform. Charu’s poetry explores introspective themes of love, loss, and identity, expressed through elegant and evocative language that resonates with the spirit of modern Bangladeshi literature.
The next speaker was Ashraf Aboul-Yazid (b. 1963), the Egyptian poet, novelist, and journalist who has dedicated over three decades to cultural journalism. Throughout his career, he has authored numerous works of poetry and prose, many of which have been translated into ten languages. Recognized for his deep engagement with global literature and the arts, Ashraf has been selected as a jury member by several esteemed cultural organizations. These include the International Festival of Songwriters in Costa Rica (2017), the Kazan International Muslim Film Festival (2021), the Pan African Writers Association for the African Poetry Prize (2022), and the Asian Literary Contest, Kazakhstan (2024). He currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of The Silk Road Literature Series. He is also a member of the Egyptian Writers’ Union and holds the position of Secretary General at the Congress of African Journalists (CAJ). Ashraf Aboul-Yazid’s contributions have earned him a number of prestigious honors. These include the Manhae Grand Prize in Literature (Republic of Korea, 2014), the Arab Journalism Award for Culture (UAE, 2015), the Gold Medal at the LIFFT Eurasian Literary Festival (Istanbul, 2021), the Sawiris Cultural Award for Children’s Literature (2023), and most recently, the title of African Poet of the Year 2025, awarded by the Silk Road International Forum in Dubai.
The TV program also hosted the following icons of poetry and art:
Hela Jenayah Tekali (Tunisia).
Hela Jenayah Tekali is a distinguished mystical poetess and academic from Tunisia. An English lecturer at the Faculty of Law and Political Science, she is the author of seven acclaimed books exploring Sufism, spirituality, and mystical poetry, including Halos of Light, The Quest of Love, and Alchemy: Another Name for Love. She has also written critical works such as Metaphysics: A Mirror to Mysticism and co-authored the Indo-North African anthology Eternal Showers. Hela has contributed to numerous international anthologies and has received honors like the World Icon of Literature title (Kazakhstan, 2018) and the Ambassador of Literature award from Motivational Strips. Her upcoming works include The Quest of Sublime Hope and the poetry collections The Vacuum of My Soul and Poetry of Redemption and Spiritual Mission. Hela’s writing is a testament to the enduring power of poetic mysticism in bridging cultures and spiritual philosophies.
Ilaria Giovinazzo (Italy)
Born in Rome in 1979, Ilaria Giovinazzo is an Italian novelist, poet, art therapist, and educator. A graduate in Literature with a thesis on the History of Religions, she teaches literature and art history in Italian high schools. Her body of work includes acclaimed novels such as Anime perdute, I Can’t Let You Go Away, and Women of Destiny. Her poetry collections—Come un fiore di lotus, The Symmetry of Bodies (with a preface by Syrian poet Maram Al-Masri), and The Religion of Beauty—have further cemented her literary presence. She has also authored children’s literature, such as Life: 10 Important Things, and curated the poetic event Sinfonie Poetiche. Her poems are featured in numerous literary magazines and anthologies. A recipient of many awards, including recognition from the Lorenzo Montano and Ossi di Seppia prizes, Giovinazzo’s writing fuses aesthetic sensitivity with spiritual inquiry and emotional depth.
Maria Miraglia (Italy)
Maria Miraglia is a distinguished Italian poet, essayist, translator, and peace activist. A fervent advocate for human rights, she is affiliated with global organizations such as Amnesty International, ICAN, and the International Observatory for Human Rights. She serves as Vice President of the World Movement for the Defence of Children in Kenya and founded the World Peace Foundation. As Literary Director of the Pablo Neruda Association, Miraglia’s influence on contemporary literature is both wide-ranging and profound. Her accolades include Poet Laureate titles from WNWU (2018) and Xi’an, China (2020), and the “50 Memorable European Women” award from the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome. Her poems, written in Italian and English, have been translated into more than 30 languages and appear in over 100 international anthologies. Her style blends philosophical reflection with emotional lucidity, creating a unique poetic voice recognized worldwide for its depth, clarity, and enduring humanism.
Imen Daoud (Tunisia)
Imen Daoud is a multifaceted Tunisian literary and cultural figure, blending roles as a poet, writer, educator, and international coach. Certified by both the American-Canadian Board of Coaching and the European Academy of Specialized Studies, she is also a graduate in Neuro-Linguistic Programming. A distinguished senior professor of French Language and Literature, Imen is a passionate advocate for cross-cultural understanding through literature and the arts. She serves as a cultural advisor for Oscar Magazine and is a member of the Union of Arab Journalists and Writers in Europe. As a poet and translator working in both French and Arabic, her work bridges linguistic and philosophical divides. Imen Daoud continues to champion artistic and human development through coaching, translation, and literary endeavors, contributing meaningfully to contemporary Arabic and Francophone literature while empowering others through education and intercultural dialogue.
Mohamed Cherni (Tunisia)
Mohamed Cherni is a Tunisian writer and philosopher with over a decade of literary experience. He holds a degree in English Linguistics, Literature, and Civilization from the Faculty of Letters and Humanities of Kairouan. Cherni is the author of three books in Arabic, with his debut work currently being translated into French. His writing delves into philosophical themes and cultural introspection, influenced by his passion for reading, painting, and exploring diverse civilizations. Currently residing in Istanbul, a city he regards as a wellspring of inspiration, Cherni finds profound creative resonance in its cultural crossroads. Through literature and travel, he seeks to understand and share the nuances of human experience across cultures. Mohamed Cherni is an emerging voice in contemporary Arabic literature, blending intellectual insight with a lyrical touch. He continues to expand his horizons as a cultural bridge-builder between East and West through both his writing and his artistic pursuits.
Mariana Stratulat (Serbia/Romania)
Mariana Stratulat is a prominent Romanian writer, journalist, educator, and cultural researcher based in Serbia. Holding degrees in education and pedagogy, she is currently pursuing a PhD in Philology at West University of Timișoara. Mariana has worked extensively in television, radio, and print journalism, notably with Libertatea and Radio Television of Voivodina. She is the founder of the cultural magazine Orizonturi Coşteiene and currently serves as Director of Libertatea Publishing House. She has authored and coordinated over 25 publications including novels, poetry, monographs, and children’s literature, with several award-winning titles such as Restlessness and Hopes and The Fascination of Invisibility. Her work promotes Romanian heritage in Serbia, and she actively participates in academic conferences across Europe. Recognized with over 20 literary and cultural awards, Mariana is a tireless advocate for preserving Romanian language, folklore, and identity through her writing, media presence, and grassroots community initiatives.
Til Kumari Sharma (Nepal)
Til Kumari Sharma, also known as Pushpa Bashyal in her community, is a celebrated Nepali poet whose literary achievements have gained global acclaim. Hailing from Paiyun 7-Hile Parbat, Nepal, she is the recipient of numerous international awards and honors. Her poetry has been published in many countries, and she is recognized as a bestselling co-author and featured poet worldwide. Til Kumari holds a place in the World Record Book for her participation in Hyperpoem, and she co-organized this historic project. She also contributed to the world-record poetry initiative on the Eiffel Tower in France. As a feminist and humanist voice, her creative works are featured prominently in magazines such as Multiart (Argentina) and Humanity Magazine, where she was honored as the “Face of Asia.” Titled the “Poetic Legend of Asia” by a Nigerian artist, she is also recognized as a “World Creative Hero” by LOANI for her literary vision and social commitment.
