Sayidaty interviewed Suad Al-Sabah, the Kuwaiti professor and poet.
You returned from Paris overwhelmed by the appreciation and recognition you received there. How does a literary figure feel to receive international recognition? And what about at home among his or her own people?
To be honored is one of the most valued things in life. God has been generous; I have been repeatedly honored in my country and abroad. However, to be honored in another country adds a different level since I consider it also honoring my country whose name I am proud to carry.
<>iYou wore the 'hijab' (head cover) in France when many were campaigning against it. Was that a silent message for the freedom of Arab Muslim women?
My wearing the 'hijab' is a personal decision based on faith and belief and I don't want it to become a political statement.
Do you believe a literary figure has a role in protecting his/her community through poetry? And is it a reality?
A literary figure and poet or painter has a mission for his community. The poet is the minaret of his time and he must rise on the value of his words and employ it in illuminating the way for his people. The beauty and wonder of poetry is in its truthfulness, that it remains poetry and is not transformed into political or social speech with musical tones thrown in. The separation between poetry and life is not acceptable at all because the poet is a voice, lit with dreams, beauty, vision and insight toward a world of a greater beauty, truth and innocence.
Hasn't the struggle with 'words' tired you? Haven't you felt the need for a little rest?
When your entire existence is connected to something, talk of tiredness and rest is a luxury. I have long since decided that I have a duty and I've implemented this both verbally and actively. I am not tired and I don't - with God's help - feel that I will be because those who believe they are carrying a message do not tire since in their exertions is true relief.
You honor younger literary figures through your annual Suad Al-Sabah Competition and the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mubarak Competition for Scientific Creativity. Connecting the generation that has given and the generation that is about to give - what does that do for you?
Regarding the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mubarak Competitions and the Suad Al-Sabah ones, the aim was, and still is, opening closed doors for young talent that doesn't have a chance to surface and become known in the world of 'words.' And we, on our behalf, exert the most honest efforts so that justice is the basis of our choice in selecting winners and giving them awards rather than just printing the first place winners and presenting the authors to the Arab world.
As for honoring the living Arab cultural pioneers, it symbolizes loyalty which has a very high value because of what they have given everybody. When I was invited to honor the pioneers, I did so as an expression and reflection of my deep beliefs. And I thank God for the chance to honor the chosen Arab pioneers who so far are: Abdulaziz Hussein from Kuwait, Ibrahim Al-Areedh, a poet from Bahrain, the poet Nizar Qabanni from Syria, Dr. Tharwat Ukasha from Egypt, Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal from Saudi Arabia and the literary figure and researcher Abdul Karim Ghallab from Morocco. Honoring these and others like them amounts to lighting a candle which is a thousand times better than cursing the darkness.
Have you ever aspired to a political position that might have more impact and vitality or are you content with words? What is your ambition for your sons, Mubarak and Muhammad?
It has never occurred to me to strive or wish for a political position. As for striving toward being more active or of greater impact, I am grateful to God and I have no complaint in doing my duties which don't leave much time for additional activities. The fact is that I have to apologize and excuse myself from many invitations and memberships in cultural and social organizations. As for my two sons Mubarak and Muhammad, they have their own lives to live and each of them is capable of drawing and defining the limits of his path.
Many of your poems have been translated into other languages. How has the response been to your works from international audiences?
Among the letters I receive many are from non-Arab countries and non-Arabs. Some of my works have even been chosen by university students working on advanced degrees. In addition, several literary associations have invited me to present poetry evenings or meet their members but unfortunately up to now, I have not had the chance to accept.
You hold different poetry readings at Ministry of Education schools. What do you feel as you recite your poetry to students?
For me there is nothing better than reciting poetry to students. In those cases, you feel that whoever is listening to you does so because he/she loves poetry and wants to recite his/her own poetry as well. Invitations to schools have increased and I never excuse myself from attending unless I'm traveling. With school audiences, I often feel that I'm a student speaking to my fellow students 40 years after leaving the classroom, still breathing pure air not yet polluted. From such an environment, I derive innocence which comes in part from those who receive my poetry spontaneously, enthusiastically and with purity.
