jordan pulse -

Writers, authors, and artists honored the legacy of the late Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish at the opening of the cultural program of the "Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts" today at the Royal Cultural Center in Amman. The seminar celebrated his great creativity and significant name, emphasizing Darwish's literary and intellectual importance as an indelible voice for Palestine, its cause, and its people.

The seminar, moderated by Minister of Culture Haifa Najjar, featured Lebanese artist Marcel Khalife, Palestinian writer and lawyer Jawad Boulos, composer Wissam Joubran, and critic Fakhri Saleh. In her introduction, Najjar highlighted Darwish's intellectual and literary significance, stating that the festival's celebration of him is a tribute to his name and the Palestinian cause, which he justly and poetically advocated worldwide.

Boulos reminisced about Darwish's final days in Palestine before his journey to America, passing through Jordan and France, where he underwent his last heart surgery. Boulos recalled, "Every year since his passing, I am overwhelmed with regret and the details of the anxiety Mahmoud lived with resurface. He was never confident in his decision to undergo surgery and frequently asked me and other close friends, 'What do you think, should I take the risk or let it be?'"

Boulos also revealed that Darwish faced intense enmity and systematic or occasional individual incitement throughout his life. Despite his public indifference, these hostilities deeply disturbed him, especially when they came from those who considered themselves close friends.

Joubran discussed the profound connection between music and poetry in Darwish's work, emphasizing the importance of understanding the concept of time in his poetry. He explained, "As a musician engaging with Darwish's poetry, the most intriguing aspect is observing the evolution of the concept of time in his work, impacting both the aesthetic/musical and emotional/psychological dimensions, as well as the structural and philosophical aspects."

Saleh emphasized that Darwish remains a powerful presence in the literary and public spheres despite his absence for 16 years. He stated, "Darwish's influence persists through his poetic writings, prose, and interviews, impacting poets of various generations, including his own. His work continuously generates debate and renews its creative energy, posing both a barrier and a gateway to future literary development."

Khalife concluded the seminar by reflecting on Darwish's view that every musical note is a beacon of love, dignity, freedom, and life, reviving memories of composing Darwish's poems in the early 1980s in his hometown, Amchit. He recalled passionately reading Darwish's collections, producing songs such as "Promises of the Storm," "I Yearn for My Mother's Bread," and "Rita, Love Story."

Khalife spoke about the widespread impact of "I Yearn for My Mother's Bread," noting its unexpected resonance with audiences. He also discussed the societal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and his aspirations to adapt Darwish's "Mural" into a significant theatrical work to reach broader audiences.