Events › Arabic Celebration of Poetry: "To My Mother"

Celebrate poetry, culture, and creativity with us! Join the Beverly Branch Library and Fidaa Abuassi for an engaging experience that celebrates Arabian culture and the beauty of its language.

Arabic poetry is considered the supreme literary art form and cultural cornerstone of the Arab world, acting as the "diwan al-Arab" (register/archive of the Arabs) for over 15 centuries. It serves as a vital record of history, tribal identity, ethics, and emotional expression. Poetry is central to Arab identity, preserving language, traditions, and values, often considered a greater form of art than prose. 

This program features one of the most famous Arabic poems, "To My Mother," by the prominent and famous Palestinian poet, the late, Mahmoud Darwish (محمود درويش). His poem was written as a homage to his mother and to her bread and coffee that he missed. You will also be introduced to one of the Arab artists, the accomplished Oud player, composer and singer, Marcel Khalife (مارسيل خليفة). Khalife has made this poem by Darwish even more beautiful by strumming his oud and singing these mesmerizing words. With its deep meanings, this poem captures the specific cultural and traditional positions that a mother carries in the Arabic culture and among Arab people.

How to Attend
This event takes place in person. Registration is required. Space is limited to 10 people.

Accessibility
Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Photo Credit by Fidaa Abuassi