Salah Labaki

Salah Naoum Al Labaki (Arabic: صلاح لبكي‎; 1906–1955) was a Lebanese poet, scholar, journalist, and lawyer. His poems and writings (both literary and critical) have received academic attention. Some regard him to be among the poets who introduced "modern Arabic poetry" in the late 20th century. Labaki is considered a pioneer of the renewal movement in Arabic poetry, and more specifically in Lebanese poetry, in the second quarter of the 20th century.

Life Labaki was born on 6 August 1906 in São Paulo, Brazil. Originally from a Lebanese town called Baabdat, his father later moved to Brazil as a journalist. The family returned to Lebanon in 1908, where Labaki remained for the rest of his life.

Career

Labaki was one of the Mahjar writers and the owner of "Arrakeeb" and "Al Manazer" newspapers. He was taught by his father and worked as a teacher during his years in university.

As the head of the Lebanese parliament in 1923 and because of his career in law alongside his father's political work, Labaki connected and worked with many known figures in Lebanon. During that period, Labaki's name appeared in multiple newspapers, including Al Basheer, Al Hadeth, Al Shiraa, Al Maarad, Al Makshouf, and Nidaa Al Watan. In 1946, he wrote for Al Basheer under the pen name Darwesh, but because of his aggressive opening, the newspaper was completely shut down. He later wrote for Al Aamal.

He gave lectures about Arabic poetry at the Institute of Arab Research and Studies in Cairo. He was interested in old and new Arabic literature. He also took an interest in French poetry and was particularly influenced by its romance and symbolism.

Labaki was a member of the National Bloc led by Émile Eddé. He was also part of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party and was voted vice president. He was incarcerated twice.

Impact Labaki wrote poetry and prose, and his books were printed multiple times. He also wrote poems that were not included in his books, but were published by newspapers like Al Qalb Al Dami, Mthli Kol Moheb, Otur Al Foaad, Al Thamaa, Mawt Al Shabab, Wa-ilayka bi-al-ward, and Fama Lelhar Ayesh Fi Makan.

Works Below is a list of Labaki's literary works:

Poetic Orjuḥat al qamar – 1938. Reprinted more than four times. Mawā'īd – 1943. Introduced to Rushdie Al Maalouf. Sa'am – 1949. Printed more than four times, and the beginning of the poem was written by the poet Said Aql. Ghurabāʼ - 1956. Published after his death. Ḥanīn – 1061. Published after his death.

Prosaic Min aʻmāq al-jabal (Articles) – 1945. Lubnān al-shāʻir – 1954. Al-tayyārāt al-adabiyyaẗ al-ḥadīthah fī Lubnān – 1955. He also translated: Būdlīr bi-qalamihi – 1969. Published after his death. His poetic and prosaic works were published in two volumes in Beirut in 1981 according to the University Institution.