Arab poetry festival in Tozeur celebrates Abou El Kacem Chebbi’s centennial anniversary

Tunis, April 10, 2009- Tozeur, the birth town of Tunisia’s greatest poet, Abou El Kacem El Chebbi continues the celebration of the poet’s centennial anniversary by organizing as of Friday the 29 th edition of the Festival of modern Arab poetry.

The festival , which is organized around the theme “the cultural and intellectual environment prevailing in the 1830’s”, is part of long line of nationwide events due to be scheduled throughout 2009 celebrating Chebbi’s centennial anniversary of his birth.

It will also include poetry readings, academic presentations, and artistic evenings showcasing Abou El Kacem El Chebbi’s poetry and lyrics.

Some of the presentations which include “Tozeur’s cultural environment from 1845 to 1905”, “Chebbi and the poets of his generation”, “the political dimension of El Bachrouch’s literature”, and “existentialism in Chebbi’s poetry”, will focus on select aspects of the life and works of the poet, as well as the circumstances which led to the meteoric rise of his talent and literary reputation.

The festival’s 2009 edition will also include poetry readings, as well as guided visits to the region’s main cultural and tourist sites.

Abou El Kacem El Chebbi who is Tunisia’s national poet, was born near Tozeur in 1909. The author of a prolific and inspired poetical work, Chebbi died in 1934 at the age of 25. He composed the lyrics of Tunisia’s national anthem and is regarded by many as one of the greatest Arab poets.