In Damascus House of Poetry Articulates Diverse Voices

ArtTracker| Syrian artist Lukman Derky hosts a weekly Monday night poetry salon in Damascus at Bayt al-Qasid, or the House of Poetry, a “space for freewheeling expression in a country where that space is usually in short supply.”

“We brought you an imperialist,” Mr. Derky kidded his audience. “So you would have some peace of mind.” via New York Times

House of Poets celebrates the great Syrian meaningmakers like Nizar Qabbani but also encourages young or undiscovered poets. Writers come also to hear their words translated from Spanish or Greek or Berber into Arabic on the spot. We share a poem by Qabbani “Damascus, What Are You Doing to Me?” from OldPoetry.com. Read on at NYT