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Charbel Dagher

シャルベル・ダガー

Charbel Dagher

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1950-03-05 （Wata Houb, Tannourine, Batroun, Lebanon）
Nationality
Lebanese
Languages
Arabic, French
Religion
Christianity (likely Maronite)
Residence History
Lebanon (birthplace / main residence) → France (academic activity / residence) → Malta (visits / collaboration) → Italy (collaboration / visiting) → Tunisia (visiting / teaching)

Career

Occupations
Poet, Writer, Short story writer, University professor, Art critic
Active Years
1975-
Affiliations
University of Balamand, Arab Cultural Center
Memberships
Arab-African Cultural Forum (served as Secretary General), African Poetry Award (served as Secretary General)

Education

New Sorbonne University (Paris III)
Faculty of Arts / Modern Arabic Letters
Degree: PhD
Period: 1978–1982
Year of Graduation: 1982
Country: France
PhD in Modern Arabic Letters
New Sorbonne University (Paris III)
Faculty of Arts / Aesthetics of Arts
Degree: PhD
Period: 1992–1996
Year of Graduation: 1996
Country: France
PhD in Aesthetics of Arts

Awards

Sheikh Zayed Book Award
2019
Category: 文学・芸術批評賞
Organization: Sheikh Zayed Book Award
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Futat al-Bayadh

1981 Poetry

An early collection of poems emphasizing imagery and symbolism, exploring the relation between self and the world.

IdentityNatureImagery

Rashm

2000 Poetry

A collection that intersects poetry and visual expression; some editions were illustrated by artists.

ArtLanguageVisuality
Adaptations
  • [Exhibition] Rashm (poetry-based exhibition) / Jamal Abdulrahim (2000)
Translations
  • French selections "Obscurités aux aguets"

Transit

2009 Poetry

A poetry collection themed around movement, passage, and the transience of existence.

JourneyMovementTransience

Wasiyat Habeel

2008 Novel

A novel by Dagher. Details based on published sources.

NarrativeCulture

Bibliography

  • Futat al-Bayadh (1981)
  • Rashm (2000)
  • Takht Sharqi (2000)
  • Hateb Lail (2001)
  • Ghairi Bisifat Koni (2003)
  • Eraban Lishakl (2004)
  • La Tabhath An Mana La'alaho Yalqak (2006)
  • Taledoni Kalemati (2007)
  • Transit (2009)
  • Walimat Qamar (2009)
  • al-Qasida Leman Yashtahiha (2010)
  • Wasiyat Habeel (2008)
  • Arab Oral Traditions (1985, French)
  • Al-Sheriya al-Arabiya al-Haditha (1988/2006)
  • Al-Hroofiya al-Arabiya: Fan Wa Hawiya (1991)
  • Al-Fan al-Islami Fi al-Masader al-Arabiya (1999)
  • Al-Loha al-Arabiya Bayna Siyaq Wa Ofoq (2003)
  • Al-Fan Wa al-Sharq (2004)
  • Al-Ayn Wa al-Loha (2006)

Adaptations

  • Various exhibitions and theatrical adaptations based on his poetry

Translations by Author

  • Translation of Rimbaud's letters into Arabic (1985, 2nd edition 2005)
  • Translation of Rilke's "Al-Wasiya" and correspondence (2001)

Translations of Works

  • Selections of his poetry translated into French, English, German and Italian

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Symbolist, image-driven poetryBlend of prose-poetry and traditional formsCritical and interdisciplinary style (combining art and poetry)
Recurring Motifs
Sea and waterArt and beautyLanguage and translationMemory and movement

Legacy

Charbel Dagher, a Lebanese poet, critic and scholar, has had broad influence on Arab culture and arts. He is recognized both for his poetry and art criticism, has been active in international academic exchanges and exhibitions, and received public honors such as the 2019 Sheikh Zayed Book Award.

Academic Societies

  • Arab Cultural Center

Archives

  • University of Balamand publications / archives

In Popular Culture

  • Art exhibitions and theatrical works inspired by his poetry (Middle East)

Quotes

  • I cannot establish a general description of my poetry. Many voices pillage my poetry, or rather scuffle over it. Its essence is defined by a structure that is linked to the outside, with others and with the world itself.
    Source: Interview (excerpt)
  • Writing is my recreation and it has intrinsic value. The act of writing is a transformational activity for things that appear to be hidden from me.
    Source: Essay "My Computer, My Portable Metaphor" (excerpt)

Trivia

  • Holds two PhDs from the New Sorbonne University (Modern Arabic Letters, Aesthetics of Arts).
  • Active both as a poet and art critic; writes in Arabic and French.
  • Winner of the 2019 Sheikh Zayed Book Award (Literary and Art Criticism).