The Arabic language is poetic in nature, with a beauty that is intricately intertwined between each and every letter and syllables that are rich in melody. Arabic poetry was in fact the earliest form of Arabic literature. Classical Arabic poetry dates back to the 6th century. It has served as a beautifully descriptive retelling of our history, offering poignant social and cultural revelations and eloquently expressing universal emotions through an Arab and North African lens. It wasn’t until the late 19th and early 20th centuries however, that colloquial Arabic was used in forming poetry. This modern form of poetry rose to popularity at the same time as Egypt’s nationalist movement and served more of a social and, oftentimes, political purpose. Before delving into the intricacies of modern Arabic poetry and the reasons behind its prevalence and significance in Egyptian history, it is noteworthy to point out a few of the pioneers who led this revolutionary literary movement. Ahmed Fouad Negm Widely known for his outspoken opinions on state affairs and his patriotic literary work, the late Ahmed Fouad Negm was a revolutionary Egyptian poet who was considered ‘the poet of…
A Literary Revolution: The Egyptian Poets who Brought Colloquial Arabic Poetry to Life
February 29, 2020
