winner
Cultural & Scientific Achievments
Third Circle 1992-1993
- Born on 21st March 1923, in Damascus
- Studied Law in Damascus University and graduated 1944
- Joined the Syrian Foreign Ministry where he held diplomatic positions in Cairo, London, Madrid, Peking and Beirut
- Resigned in the spring of 1966 to establish a publishing house in his name. His only occupation afterwards became poetry
- Started writing poetry at the age of 16, issued his first poetry book “The Brunette Told Me” in 1944
- The Lebanese war forced him to leave Beirut in 1982, where he moved to Switzerland and the UK.
- After 1967 his poetry shifted from romance to politics and resistance. Since then he has held a rose in one hand and gun in the other
- All his works are contained in 8 volumes.
Decision of the General Secretariat
Having reviewed the 45 nominees representing all fields, and all Arab Countries for this year 92-93, the Trustees Board of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Awards decided to grant the award to poet Nizar Qabbani.
The Board took its decision in appreciation of Qabbani’s pioneering role and his inspiring work over the last50 years. He is a leading figure in innovative Arabic poetry, a trend that started with his first published collection of poems
The Brunette Told Me introduced fundamental changes to the form and substance of Arabic poetry the pattern has continued since then.
The poet focused in his early days on love and sensuality, bringing the noble relation of love from under the traditional Arab veil to the open. However, the Poet did not forget the problems and concerns of his Arab Nation, especially after the 1967 setback, but did his best to expose Arab shortcomings, as he did in his poem Comments on the Setback.
Through his significantly different style, Qabbani became one of the most popular and influential poets, as his style turned poetry into a public park that all people could visit. He used a special language that was so close to everyday-language. He addressed all classes of people, broke through the barrier that isolated people from poetry, and made poetry enter every Arab home. The poetry evenings he held in Arab cities underlined the fact that poetry plays an essential part in Arab life, and consequently enhances the responsibility of Arab Poets towards their audience.
For these reasons, the Board considers Nizar Qabbani qualified and grants him this Award for all his 41 works of poetry and prose, and for his continuous writing that leaves its mark on the Arab cultural arena.
Famous Works
Poetry
- The Brunette Told Me
- The Childhood Of A Breast
- Samba
- You Are Mine
- Poems
- My Lover
- Drawing With Words
- Memoirs Of A Careless Woman
- Wild Poems
- The Book Of Love
- Outlaw Poems
- I Love You… And The Rest Comes
- The Beirut, The Woman, With My Love
- 100 Love Letters
- Year After Year, You Remain My Love
- I Swear That There Is No Woman Except You
- That’s How I Write The History Of Women
- The Lovers Dictionary
- Balqis Poem
- Love Does Stop For Red Lights
- Crazy Poems
- Love Remains My Master
- Poems Out Of Favour
- I Married You, Freedom
- Trilogy Of The Stone Children
- Love Is The Only Winner
- I Hold The Match, And Your States Are Made Of Paper
- The Secret Papers Of A Qarmati Poet
- The Curriculum Vitae Of An Arab Executioner
- Footnotes On The Book Of Defeat
- Do You Hear My Poems Neigh
- Am Only One, And You Are A Tribe Of Women
Prose
- Poetry Is A Green Lamp
- My Story With Poetry
- On Poetry, Sex And Revolution
- Woman In My Poetry And Life
- Writing Is A Revolutionary Work
- A Little Of Prose
- I Played Cleverly, And Here Are My Keys
- What Is Poetry
Died on 30/4/1998
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