A Tribute to the Poet Mahmoud Darwish

A Tribute To Mahmoud Darwish

The Center for Middle Eastern Studies and the Department of African, Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Literatures collaborated to commemorate the achievements of the late Mahmoud Darwish, with an event that honored his life, poetry and activism, while also highlighting the continuity of Palestinian literature as resistance. Not only Rutgers professors but also their students recited Darwish’s poetry in both Arabic and English, putting to use the valuable language skills they have acquired through courses at CMES. The evening included short lectures by Professors Abdeljaber, Soueid and Ennaji, on Darwish’s life, poetic style, and political views. The evening also showcased a musical tribute to the late poet, in the form of a performance on the oud by Professor Alsiadi.

In keeping with the theme of Palestinian poetry as resistance, CMES invited Remi Kanazi, the editor of the newly published volume Poets for Palestine. This collection of poetry was written by various artists of different backgrounds and opens appropriately with a poem by Darwish. Kanazi also gave a spoken word performance of some of his own work, giving the audience a fresh taste of poetry as resistance in the contemporary styles of today. It was a successful event that brought together the Rutgers campus community as well as others from the surrounding area, including Professor Ikram Masmoudi from the University of Delaware, to celebrate a much-loved and unforgettable icon of the Arab world and the wider literary world, Mahmoud Darwish.