Mihyar of Damascus
His Songs
While Adonis is a recognizable and respected world poet, there are only two previous full-length translations of his poetry available in this country. Mihyar of Damascus, His Songs, marked a watershed moment in Arabic poetry when it was published in 1961. It also marked a shift toward more modern, experimental writing for the already famous Adonis. Co-translators Adnan Haydar and Michael Beard have worked with Adonis on this translation and have the poet's blessing on the book. They are recognized Arabic literature scholars and have written an informative and highly readable introduction to the collection. This book will serve as a wonderful introduction to the poetry of Adonis for new readers, and further his reputation among current fans. If, as we suspect, Adonis is short-listed for the Nobel Prize again this year, the book will take on even more significance. And sales!
Adonis is arguably the leading Arabic poet in the world. Born in Qassabin, Syria, Adonis studied philosophy in Beirut, where he obtained his Doctorat d'Etat in 1973. After his arbitrary imprisonment for six months in 1955 for political activities and membership of the Syrian National Socialist Party, he settled in Lebanon in 1956, later becoming a Lebanese national. Adnan Haydar is head of the Arabic section in the department of foreign languages and professor of Arabic and comparative literature at the University of Arkansas, where he also directed the King Fahd Middle East Studies Program from 1993 to 1999. He has edited numerous modern Arabic novels in translation for Syracuse University Press. Michael Beard has been a member of the University of North Dakota faculty since 1979. He is a regular consultant to the NEH. In 1996 he received a Fulbright Fellowship to teach at University of Jordan. He has been a visiting professor at American University in Cairo, Egypt, and published nearly 100 articles and reviews on Middle Eastern literature.
