A collection of the poet's work was our book club selection for May 2009.
Find more information on the author and his work through the book's page.
Muhammed al-Maghut also spelled Mohamed el-Maghut or Mohammad Al Maghout (1934- April 3, 2006) was a Syrian writer and poet. He was born in Salamiya, Syria.
Maghout's work combined satire with descriptions of social misery and malaise, illustrating what he viewed as an ethical decline among rulers in the region.
He teamed up with Syrian actors Dureid Laham and Nihad Qali to produce some of the region's most popular and acclaimed theatrical works, such as "Exile."
"Policemen, Interpol men everywhere; you search for the perfect crime," Maghout wrote in one of his poems. "There is only one perfect crime; to be born an Arab."
Muhammad Maghout was credited as the father of the Arabic free verse poetry, liberatng the Arabic poems from the traditional form and revolutionizing the structure of the poem. He wrote for theater, TV and cinema. Maghut's work combines satire with descriptions of social misery and malaise, illustrating what he viewed as an ethical decline among rulers in the region. He co-operated with Syrian actors Dureid Lahham and Nihad Qal'i to produce some of the region's most popular and acclaimed theatrical works, such as Kasak ya Watan (Toast to the homeland) and Ghorbeh (Estrangement).
Al maghut is also known for his book "I will betray my homeland", a collection of essays.
He passed away at the age of 72 in April 2006.
Works
Poetry
* 1959: Sadness in the moon light (Huzn fi daw when qamar)
Maghoot with Duraid Lahham, the actor and co-writer of some of his most famous works.
* 1964: A room with millions of walls (Gurfa bi malayin al-judrán)
* 1970: The joy is not my profession (Al-farah laysa mihnati)
* The rose slayer (" Sayaf al-zohour)
* East of Eden, West of God (" Sharq Adan, Gharb alaah")
* 2006: The red bedouin (" Al-badawi al-ahmar)
Books
* I will betray my homeland " Sa akhoun watani"
Theater
* The hunchback bird ( Al-ousfour al ahdab)
* The clown ( Al-mouharej)
* Tishreen's village ( Dayat tishreen)
* Exile (Ghourbeh)
* Toast to the homeland ( Kasak ya watan)
* The popies ( Shaqaeq al-nomaan )
* Outside the flock ( kharej al-sareb)
TV
* The night tales ( Hakaya al-lyl)
* Where is the mistake ( Wayn al-ghalat)
* The musk valley ( wady al misk)
Movies
* The borders ( Al-hodoud )
* The report ( Al-taqreer)
Awards
* 2005: Prize for Poetry - Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation.
* 2000: Medal of the Experimental Theater - Cairo.
* 1973: Prize of Said Aql of Theater.
* 1950: Prize For Poetry - An-Nahar Newspaper.
