Mamdouh Adwan (Arabic: ممدوح عدوان, 23 November 1941 – 19 December 2004)[1] was a prolific Syrian writer, poet, playwright and critic. He published his first collection of poetry, al-Dhul al-Akhdhar [The Green Shadow] in 1967 and afterwards published 18 further collections.

Mamdouh Adwan
ممدوح عدوان
Born23 November 1941 (1941-11-23)
Qayrun near Masyaf, Hama, Syria
Died19 December 2004(2004-12-19) (aged 63)
Damascus, Syria
OccupationPoet, writer and translator
NationalitySyrian
Period1965–2004

He also published two novels, twenty-five plays, translated twenty-three books from English into Arabic, including the Iliad, the Odyssey, a biography of George Orwell, the Report to Greco by Nikos Kazantzakis, and wrote a number of television series. He wrote regularly on Arab current affairs, and also taught at the Higher Institute for Dramatic Arts in Damascus.[2] Only few of his works have been published in English, notably in Banipal magazine.[1]

Biography edit

Mamdouh Adwan was born in the village of Qayrun near Masyaf, Hama Governorate, the first child of Sabri Adwan. After finishing his schooling in Masyaf, he moved to Damascus to study English literature at Damascus University. He was married and has two sons.

Works in English translation edit

  • The old man and the land. Damascus : al-Tawjih Press, 1971.[3]
  • Selected poems. (2008) translated by Sinan Antoon, Banipal 32

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Banipal (UK) Magazine of Modern Arab Literature - Contributors - Mamdouh Adwan".
  2. ^ "رحيل الأديب السوري ممدوح عدوان". Al Jazeera English.
  3. ^ Adwan, Mamduh (1971). The old man and the land. Damascus: al-Tawjih Press. OCLC 7369250.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)

Further reading edit

  • Darraj, Faisal (2004). Mamdouh Adwan and the freedom of the prolific creator. Banipal 21, autumn/winter