Hamdy el-Gazzar remembers Egypt’s “ambassador of the poor” and poet of the January 25 Revolution. Ahmed Fouad Negm, the venerated poet and outspoken critic of power, died on December 3, a few days before being awarded the Prince Claus Award. Included is Negm’s poem “Mother Egypt”.
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In this segment of The Writer’s Block, the acclaimed Egyptian author and journalist Hamdy El-Gazzar discusses writing poetry, incorporating sex as a theme in his work, and the importance of letting the spirit of a text live in translation. El-Gazzar is also Sampsonia Way‘s Egypt columnist.
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A poignant message delivered by the poet Maya Angelou on behalf of the American people in memory of Nelson Mandela who died on December 5.
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A discussion on craft with acclaimed Native American poet and musician Joy Harjo widens to include stories about her family and ancestors, writers’ block, the forced exile of Native Americans in the US, and what it takes to balance her “two lovers,” music and poetry.
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The poem “Overture” is a “statement with a wish,” writes Tarık Günersel. He shares his short poem in 32 languages, including English and the Turkish original, with translations provided by fellow writers and PEN members from around the world. Günersel is PEN Turkey president.
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Making a spot-lit entrance on a balcony over Sampsonia Way, Swami reads three poems as she walks down the street, backed by a jazz band featuring Oliver Lake and Dee Alexander and her Trio, at City of Asylum Pittsburgh’s 9th annual Jazz Poetry Concert.
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For the last four years, Monterey Street in Pittsburgh’s Mexican War Streets neighborhood has become a stage for “I Don’t Know What I’d Do If I Couldn’t Speak My Mind,” an open day-long poetry event showcasing dozens of writers. We speak to event organizer Adel Fougnies.
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In this new edition of The Writer’s Block, Sampsonia Way talks to Sridala Swami, a poet and children’s writer. Swami is a resident of the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program and a performer at the 2013 Jazz Poetry Concert.
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Two poems from Bones Will Crow, the first anthology of contemporary Burmese poetry translated into English: “Achilles’ Heel” by Khin Aung Aye and “The Sniper” by Pandora. Both poems are translated by the poet Ko Ko Thett.
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In recognition of Banned Books Week, Sampsonia Way presents a selection of exclusive interviews, excerpts, and profiles of the banned writers who have appeared in our pages – from imprisoned Chinese activists to American poets.
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