Elia El Hawi

Elia Salim el Hawi (1929–2001) (Arabic:إليا سليم الحاوي, ALA-LC:إlyā slym ālḥāwy) is a major Lebanese critic and writer. He was influenced by many authors that affected the world of literature. His opinions and ideas are also influenced by many philosophical critics. El Hawi was known for his books and publications in the field of literary criticism, his novels, and articles, and for his collaborative work with several philosophers and authors.

Biography

Early life and education Elia el Hawi was born in 1929 in Choueir, a city located in the Matn District of Lebanon. His brother, Khalil el Hawi, is a famous Lebanese poet of the 20th century. Elia El Hawi obtained his elementary education in his home town, then continued his studies at the National Protestant High School

Philosophical Influences Elia El Hawi was influenced by many poets and authors that left a mark in the history of literature. Among those artists are the authors: Ibrahim El Yaziji, Said Akl, Fawzi Al Maalouf, Shafiq Al Maalouf, and Khalil Mitran.

The French critic Gaëtan Picon’s comparative and critical studies also played a vital role in shaping El Hawi’s opinions and philosophical views. Picon was an author, whose main focus included art, literature critic, and history.

Similar to many of his influencers, El Hawi believed that the value of the author or poet does not lie within the subject of a poem or piece of writing, but within the values embedded in the text and the creativity that forms a direct path that takes the reader on a journey to the old days or even the advanced ones. The poet or the author describes this creation as "an innocent and purified soul free from traditions and residues, through which he/she could find the ability to express objectively and personally the meaning of one's existence through conscious and unconscious symbols and reincarnations".