'Symphony of Sorrows'
Basra honors poet Safaa Al-Hajari in a literary session
BASRA — The Palace of Culture and Arts in Basra hosted a literary session Monday dedicated to poet Safaa Al-Hajari, who was born in the city’s Faw district in 1959. The event explored his evolution from early poetry writing to becoming a prominent poet.
Attof Al-Husseini, a poet, spoke to 964media about Al-Hajari’s deep, innovative approach to modern poetry techniques.
“His experience features distinctive characteristics in writing mechanisms, ranging from classical poetry to free verse and prose,” Al-Husseini said.
Al-Hajari gained prominence after publishing a poetry collection that resonated with readers on both political and personal levels. Short story writer Ali Samir Bani noted two of Al-Hajari’s significant works, “Symphony of Sorrows” and “The Third Millennium.”
These collections have had a significant impact on Basra’s literary scene, often incorporating local folklore and wisdom.
Al-Hajari has been recognized for his political commentary about his hometown, Faw, and for intertwining themes of love and emotion.
Poet Karim Jakhayur praised Al-Hajari’s strategic approach to poetry, likening it to a well-coordinated soccer game with Al-Hajari managing his verses like players.
“His technique in handling poetry with such skill and flexible language, using symbols like palms, horses, and flowers, sets his work apart from others,” Jakhayur said.
According to Jakhayur, Al-Hajari’s poetry uniquely explores characters and themes that capture the essence and significance of the city.