"We want to express our solidarity with the people of Tunisia, to support humanity and justice," said Saleh Zamel, the master of ceremonies.
One of the young attendees struggled to recite a poem, sent by Tunisian poet Adam Fathi for the occasion, but could be barely heard over the noise and shouts of an unruly crowd of dozens, most engaged in loud conversations of their own.
Ahmed Abdul Hussein, the organiser, said the meeting, staged at the Iraqi House of Poetry on Muttanabi street in the centre of the capital, was held "to express our support for the revolution in Tunisia."
Iraqi writer Haider Saeed delivered another barely audible speech, warning the people of Tunisia to beware.
Over the ruckus, the young Iraqi poet Maitham al-Harbi's struggled to recite a poem to Mohammed Bouazizi, the 26-year-old fruit vendor in Tunisia who set himself on fire and inspired the uprising that led to the ouster ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
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