Commemorating Ahmed Shawqi at the BA
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Alexandria—
The BA will organize a three-day celebration on 10 December 2007, on the occasion of the passage of 75 years on the passing away of Prince of Poets Ahmed Shawqi. Participants will include intellectuals, poets, and critics from Egypt and the Arab world, on top of which is Abdul-Aziz Al-Babtain, Kuwaiti Poet and Founder of Al-Babtain Award for Poetry Excellence, Dr. Gaber Asfour, Chairman of the National Center for Translation, Dr. Salah Fadl, renowned Literary Critic, and Sameeh Al-Qasem, Palestinian Poet.
Dr. Khaled Azab, Director of Media Department, stated that the celebration will include issuing a memorial catalogue on the life and achievements of Ahmed Shawqi, who was a real poet expressing honestly and objectively the views and aspirations of the people of his nation. The Celebration will include sessions discussing Ahmed Shawqi's works, in addition to poetic evenings and singing performances of Shawqi's poems. Renowned Poet Abdel-Rahman El-Abnoudy will be the guest of honor of the Celebration's closing session.
It is worth mentioning that Ahmed Shawqi was born in 1868, in Cairo, to a prominent family well-connected to the Khedive of Egypt. At the age of 4 years, Shawqi entered Kuttāb al-Šaykh Sālih, Sayyida Zaynab District, and then he joined al-Mubtadayān Primary School and al-Taghīziya Secondary School. Upon graduating from high school, he attended Law School, obtaining a degree in translation. Shawqi was then offered a job in the court of the Khedive Abbas II, which Shawqi immediately accepted.
After a year working in the Khedive court, Shawqi was sent to continue his studies in Law at the Universities of Montpellier and Paris for three years. While in France, he was heavily influenced by the works of French playwrights, most notably Molière and Racine. He returned to Egypt in 1894.
In 1927, he was crowned by his peers Amir al-Sho'araa' (literally: the Prince of Poets) in recognition of his considerable contributions to the literary field. His most famous works included Nahj al-Burda poem, a tribute to Prophet Muhammed. Shawqi was the first in Arabic literature to write poetic plays. He wrote five tragedies, namely: Majnun Laila (The Madman of Layla), his first play; Masra' Cleopatra (The Death of Cleopatra), his most famous play; 'Antara; Ali bek al-Kabeer; and Qambeez. His two comedies were As-Set Huda (Madame Huda) and Al-Bakhila (the Miser). Ahmed Shawqi passed away on 14 October 1932 leaving behind an eternal poetic heritage.
For more information on the Celebration's program, Click here.