Summary

On Saturday 7^th December 2025, we welcomed Afikra’s Dubai community to host their literary circle here at Hobb, themed around renowned Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish.

Over snacks, and new friends, the afternoon followed a guided discussion by hosts Shahid and Zeina through archival footage of Darwish’s speeches and bilingual texts of his work. The literary circle covered key life events, his career as well as the themes explored in a selection of his poems.

About Our Hosts

Afikra is a grassroots global media and educational platform that holds community-based workshops internationally with the focus of connecting the Arab diaspora through listening circles, film circles and reclaiming narratives and misconceptions about Arab art and culture. Their approach includes podcasting and hosting listening circles, film and literary circles centered on Arabic media, film and poetry.

Circle Introductions

The afternoon opened with a question to attendees “What brought you here today?” Some shared that they were familiar with Darwish’s work but wanted to learn more about his life to deepen their understanding of how it relates to his work. Others were newly introduced to his work in light of Palestinian works gaining more international attention.

Our space reflected a very international diverse mix of Arabs, diasporic Arabs and non-Arabs all drawn by a shared interest in Palestinian literature and conversation. For its inclusivity poems were shown both in Arabic and English accompanied with archival footage of the speeches in their original Arabic, allowing attendees to have an audiovisual experience to retain the strength of its original words while also engaging with English translations.

The Three Main Themes Discussed

Unlike a Wikipedia summary, Afikra’s approach allowed each poem and archival speech to highlight key moments of Darwish’s life and his literary and political career. The themes of identity, confrontation and mortality were selected to reflect his beginnings influenced by music, his mobility, his political beliefs and shifts in parties, multilingualism and reflections towards the end of his life with death.

Theme 1: Identity – Identity Card بطاقة هوية

Written during a period where the occupation-imposed heavy restrictions on movement within the West bank, participants reflected on Darwish’s use of the ID card as a symbol- not only of control but reclaiming a tool used to oppress as a symbol of pride and strength as a form of resistance while acknowledging the pain that comes with this.

“Write down that I am arab سجل أنا عربي

Participant discussions touched on Pan-Arabism used at that time as a source of pride, while others challenged this by highlighting the complexity of the Palestinian experience. While the broader Arab experience can overlap with the Palestinian experience, such as the negative stereotyping of Arabs, the restriction of movement of living under occupation and displacement make their struggle have nuances even within Palestinians themselves.

Theme 2- Confrontation- “I Am from there” أنا من هناك

When discussing this poem, the line that stood out to participants the most was

ð “I learnt each language suitable for the court of blood”. | تَعَلَّمْتُ كُلَّ الْكَلَامِ الَّذِي يَلِيقُ بِمَحْكَمَةِ الدَّمِ

Participant discussions were centered around the idea of forced fluency and how existence is constantly justified as though on trial and the forced multilingualism. The learning of multiple languages as well as the language of the oppressors as a tool of survival and confrontation.

Another theme discussed was the repeated motif of “The everlasting olive tree.”| وَزَيْتُونَةٌ خَالِدَهْ

The symbol of the olive tree, both as a means of survival and agricultural for Palestinians but also a tool of resistance, as the plant is resilient so are the people that originally resided it

Listening to archival speeches aloud highlighted the strength, diction and rhythm of its words in its original Arabic, enhancing the circle experience.

Theme 3 – Mortality – Mural l جدارية 

The final poem discussed centered around Mural, inspired by a near-fatal heart surgery. His poem reflects that period towards the end of his life, coming to terms with his fragile health, mortality and frustration towards the lack of change in what he was fighting for. It’s stream of consciousness format prompted discussions around fragility, vulnerability and the search of meaning for himself as well as his country.

Participants reflected on the frustration of effecting change and the idea that hope for transformation may take generations. Even if a resolution did not come within his lifetime, his work continues through the time of efforts by those after him who felt empowered to fight and advocate for the cause.

Attendants were left to discuss and takeaway the following question,

“Can art transcend politics? Which is more powerful?”

Most believed that it does, empahsising that the legacy of art often living beyond the artist themselves through ideology, music and memory. The importance of archiving such work to ensure it is remembered.

Darwish’s poetry on music was also discussed, an example being Marcel Khalife’s famous song “Mother” being inspired by his poem “Mother’s bread.” Others reflected on the power of art shaping political ideology and a shift, and how that influence can also be seen as a threat. Participants were able to leave with a better understanding of the essence of Darwish’s work and new friends.

Closing reflections and takeaways

Thank you again to Afikra and hosts Shahid and Zeina for using our space and providing online resources to deepen our understanding of the legacy of Arab artists. Education and awareness are more important than ever and efforts to reclaim narratives and the importance of this work through discussion and community is incredibly valuable.

We would like to leave you readers with the same question.:

“Can art transcend politics? Which is more powerful?”

Leave a comment below- we would love to hear your thoughts!

As this is our final blog post of 2025, we would like to wish you all a Happy Holiday and a happy new year. We look forward to holding more exciting and insightful events in 2026!

 

Works mentioned:

1-       Identity Card) (بطاقة هوية

2-       I am from there/ (أنا من هناك)

3-       Mural جدارية ) (

 

Follow our socials and subscribe to our newsletter to be notified on future events.