Historical Figure
Adonis (Ali Ahmad Said Esber)
French Mandate
Ali Ahmad Said Esber, also known by the pen name Adonis or Adunis, is a Syrian poet, essayist and translator. Maya Jaggi, writing for The Guardian stated "He led a modernist revolution in the second half of the 20th century, "exerting a seismic influence" on Arabic poetry comparable to T.S. Eliot's in the anglophone world.".
Connection to Damascus
Studied at the University of Damascus graduating in 1954; his poem "The Songs of Mihyar the Damascene" references Damascus.
Known for
Goethe Prize 2011; led modernist revolution in Arabic poetry.
Lifespan
1930-01-01
Biography
Ali Ahmad Said Esber, also known by the pen name Adonis or Adunis, is a Syrian poet, essayist and translator. Maya Jaggi, writing for The Guardian stated "He led a modernist revolution in the second half of the 20th century, "exerting a seismic influence" on Arabic poetry comparable to T.S. Eliot's in the anglophone world.".