São Paulo – The period in which Lebanese poet Gibran Khalil Gibran lived in New York, in the early 20th Century, has now become the theme of a theatre play. In a single presentation in São Paulo, on November 12th, director and playwright Samir Yazbek and Companhia Arnesto nos Convidou are going to present Um profeta em Nova Iorque (A Prophet in New York), a dramatic reading of the Arab author’s biography.
“The play is inspired on the life and works of Khalil Gibran and is part of the celebration of the 130th anniversary of his birth,” said Lody Brais, president of the Brazil-Lebanon Cultural Association.
A Prophet in New York is a never before seen play created by Samir, based on the biography of Gibran, written by his brother, Mustafa Yazbek, published in 1984. “When we started working on the celebration (of the poet’s anniversary), we got in contact with Samir. He had always had the idea of taking Khalil Gibran’s life to the theatre,” said Brais.
The play, in parables, shows the challenge of trying to live a spiritual life in a large metropolis. “They are imaginary dialogues with main figures from his childhood,” explained Brais. The dramatic reading of the text will be accompanied by Sami Bordokan.
Prior to the presentation, there will be a 15 minute opening event, with an explanation about the poet, in the hands of Aida Hanania, a retired professor from the College of Philosophy, Literature and Humanities of the University of São Paulo. After the play, there will be a public debate.
Gibran Khalil Gibran was born in 1883, in Bicharré, Lebanon. Apart from being a poet, he was also a philosopher, painter, essayist and novelist, and one of the main promoters of Arab culture. Among his main works are books The Prophet, of 1923, and The Broken Wings, of 1912.
Service
A Prophet in New York – Dramatic Reading
Date and time: November 12th, at 7:00 pm
Site: Auditorium of the São Paulo Art Museum (Masp)
Avenida Paulista, 1578
Admittance is free
Prior enrolment is not necessary
*Translated by Mark Ament