São Paulo – A Diwan of contemporary Arabic poetry is going to inaugurate the cycle "Poesia dos 4 Cantos" (Poetry from the 4 Corners), promoted by Casa das Rosas, in the capital of the state of São Paulo. "It will be an opportunity for reading, learning and disclosing Arabic poetry," says poet Michel Sleiman, director at the Institute of Arab Culture (Icarabe) and a PhD in Arabic Language and Literature at the University of São Paulo (USP), where he runs magazine Tiraz for Studies in Arab and the Middle Eastern Cultures. The Diwan will take place today (20), at 07:00 pm, at Casa das Rosas.
"It is important for people around the world, especially in Brazil, to learn what Arab poetry is, why it is one of the pillars of civilization, both in the East and the West. If it is not so yet, or does not seem to be so, it is only a matter of time. We must work for it to be recognized," claims Sleiman, who wrote "A Poesia Árabe-Andaluza: Ibn Quzman de Córdova" ("The Andalusian Arabic Poetry: Ibn Quzman from Cordova) and "A Arte do Zajal: Estudo de Poética Árabe" (The Art of the Zajal: A Study in Arabic Poetry).
According to Sleiman, the selection will include poems by Arab authors such as Ibn Hazm, Ibn Quzman, Ibn Nuwas, Al-Tutili, Adonis, Sinan Anton, and Mahmud Darwich, a Palestinian poet who passed away recently, at age 67, and will be honoured with a tribute during the poetry meeting. "He was one of the most important poets in 20th century Arabic poetry," says Sleiman. "We will use translations from Arabic into Portuguese done by myself, Professor Safa Jubran and the students in the Arabic course at USP," he explains.
The recital will also feature dance interventions with Kátia Daher and Arabic music with Djony Mouzayek. "I have organised other Diwans similar to this one, and I always seek to combine poetry with other cultural manifestations, in order to make the meeting more interesting and productive," he claims.
The Diwan of contemporary Arabic poetry will be the first meeting in the cycle Poetry from the 4 Corners, promoted by Casa das Rosas – Haroldo de Campos Poetry and Literature Space, over the course of four months. In September, an Irish poetry recital will be held, with Marcelo Tápia. In October, it will be time for Korean poetry, with Yun Jung In, and in November, Jewish poetry will be featured with Moacir Amâncio.
Service
Diwan of contemporary Arabic poetry
Wednesday, August 20, at 07:00 pm
Casa das Rosas
Avenida Paulista, 37 – Bela Vista
Admittance is free
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
