A memorable event commemorating the life and works of Lebanese poet Jawdat Haydar took place at Stanford University on February 27, 2020 and included remarks and speeches by Dr. Khalid Obeid, Rima Makdisi, Dr. Alexander Key, Dr. Rula Yazigy, Dr. Ramzi Salti and Mr. Ed Shiner.
The video segment below features Stanford Lecturer Dr. Ramzi Salti reading some of the Jawdat Haydar's own words (in Arabic) and reciting 3 of Haydar's poems (in English): "To A Friend" and "Lebanon" and "Mahatma Gandhi" (taken from the book 101 Selected Poems by Jawdat Haydar, Vantage Press, New York, 2006). This excerpt includes main video footage by Tadashi Moriguchi and close up video footage by Thoraya B. Edited by Ramzi Salti. Watch below or at https://youtu.be/_FJ4y2q3fgI
Below are some photos from the event which was filmed in its entirety and and will be available soon elsewhere.
Mr Ed Shiner
Dr. Ramzi Salti
Dr. Rula Yazigy
Dr. Khalid Obeid
Dr. Alexander Key
Below are some of poet Jawdat Haydar's works which were recited and read during the event:
أميرة البيلي شاعرة مصرية من مواليد محافظة الاسكندرية بدأت كتابة الشعر من ٢٠١٤ واستمرت في تطوير اسلوبها في الكتابة والالقاء وتميزت في الفترة الاخيرة بأسلوبها الخاص. وقد نالت قصيدتها "أنا مليت" والتي أبكت مصر بالمركز الاول في مسابقة ابداع الاسكندرية. يمكنكم مشاهدة الفيديو أدناه أو عبر الرابط التالي: أنقر هنا كلمات القصيدة تعبت فَ قمت كلمته مانا بنته هيفهمني ويفهم اني محتاجة يكلمني ويسمعني ويفهم اني مخنوقة وحضنه بس هيساعني فَ كلّمته. الو ؟ هوانت ليه ساكت ؟ ألو فيا حجات ماتت ! الو تعبانة في أسمعني .. يرد يقول وايه يعني ؟ ما كل الخلق تعبانة ..وايه يعني ملامحك لسة بهتانة ما عادي كلنا مرضى .. جرحني بعجزي عن اني ارد القسوة ليه لكن .. انا قلبي مهوش داكن عشان يقسي ويكره حد.. مهواش حد فـ ليه جرّح .؟ وزعلني ياريته ما رد ، وليه اتغير بقا بارد وليه شارد بعيد عني ما كان بيقول زمان اني مراته وام لعياله وقالي اني هبقاله انا باقية لكن هو الي بيعافر ليخسرني كسرني لكني حبيته.. ياريتني ما كُنت حبيته ووهبته القلب واديته حنين عمره ما كان يحلم بحد يحبه يوم قدي .. ...
Here is my modest attempt to translate Fairuz's song "Khidni Ya Habibi خدني يا حبيبي " [Take Me Away, My Love] from Arabic into English. This song has always had a special place in my heart, as does the operetta/musical Petra in which it was initially performed, back in 1978. I have uploaded a special video of the song, with optional English subtitles, to my YouTube Channel. To view subtitles, start playing video then click on CC at bottom of video screen/window. For bilingual English/Arabic version, scroll to bottom of page. Watch below or at https://youtu.be/Hi4-DAq72s8 [Narration] An Egyptian man arrived one night Carrying with him the mysteries of the Pyramids And the sublime color of the Nile He appeared out of nowhere Just like joy itself And he gave us hope. [Song] Take me away, my love To a house that has no doors Take me away my love To the moon that guides the forgotten Leave me in a deep slumb...
Lina Makoul: Exploring the Art-Capitalism Paradox Lina Makoul's Artistic Activism: Lina Makoul has long used her international profile to address social and political issues close to her heart and her new single, 'Fish Masari,' serves as a prime example. You can listen/watch below or at this link . Exploring the Art-Capitalism Paradox: Written and produced by Makoul and Nasir AlBashir, 'Fish Masari' delves into the intricate relationship between art and capitalism. This thought-provoking wake-up call delves into how art enriches the hearts and minds of countless individuals while often failing to sustain its creators. Makoul's astute observations and succinct lyrics match the track's powerful physicality. A Fusion of Arabic Musical Traditions: 'Fish Masari' is deeply rooted in Arabic musical traditions, incorporating Middle Eastern instrumentation, percussive rhythms inspired by traditional Palestinian wedding songs, and clever samples. The track...
Karim Al Iraqi (1955-2023) was a renowned Iraqi poet who passed away in Abu Dhabi on September 1, 2023 after battling cancer. He was 68. As I tribute, I am sharing his poem "Kana Sadiqi" كان صديقي [He Was My Friend], an Arabic poem written by Iraqi poet Karim Aliraqi كريم العراقي aka Karim Odeh كريم عوده, about finding himself in the role of intermediary between a couple (two friends of his) whose love he had once witnessed but who were now breaking up. The poet speaks of his dilemma in the video below then goes on to recite the poem in Arabic. Poem translated into English by Dr. Ramzi Salti. قصيدة "كان صديقي" للشاعر كريم العراقي (كريم عوده) يخاطب بها حبيبين افترقا وكان هو الوسيط بينهما والذي يشكى كل منهما له همه وسبب بعده عن حبيبه الآخر. ترجم القصيدة الى الانجليزية الدكتور رمزي سلطي This video shows the poet, Karim Al Iraqi, reading his poem in 2014: Lyrics كلمات القصيدة He was my friend and she was eternally his. Their love stor...
