A scene from the literary session in Baghdad, where attendees gathered to commemorate poet Buland Al-Haidari and discuss his works. (Photo: 964media)
'Pillar of Arabic poetry'
Buland Al-Haidari’s legacy honored in Baghdad as complete works published
BAGHDAD — Iraqi Kurdish poet Buland Al-Haidari was honored Friday in Baghdad with a memorial marking 29 years since his death and celebrating the publication of his complete works.
The event, organized by the Al-Mada Foundation for Culture and Arts, brought together intellectuals, academics, and literary critics to reflect on his contributions to Arabic modernist poetry.
Rifaat Abdul Razzaq, who chaired the memorial session, told 964media, “Unfortunately, Buland Al-Haidari was neglected, despite being one of the leading figures in Arabic modernist poetry. He was wronged in life and after death.”
Abdul Razzaq noted that while poets like Badr Shakir Al-Sayyab, Nazik al-Malaika, and Abdul Wahab Al-Bayati are widely celebrated as pioneers of free verse, Al-Haidari’s early role is often overlooked.
Born in 1926 to a well-known scholarly and judicial family, Al-Haidari was influenced by prominent romantic poets and published his first poetry collection, Khafqat Al-Tin, in 1946. In addition to poetry, he worked as a literary critic and visual artist. Known for his rebellious spirit, he lived much of his life in cafés and streets rather than the family home.
His complete works were recently published as part of a broader effort to revive the legacies of major Iraqi poets.
Literary and theater critic Yaseen Al-Nassir told 964media, “Buland is a pillar of Arabic poetry, not just Iraqi. His work is marked by philosophical, existential, and introspective themes, setting him apart from other modernist poets.”
Al-Nassir noted that Al-Haidari’s background in visual arts gave his poetry a distinct visual depth, yet his name was often overshadowed by figures such as Saadi Youssef, Al-Breikan, Nazik al-Malaika, and Al-Bayati.
“Buland always felt alienated and isolated. He wrote from a perspective of loss — loss of home, country, alleyways, and even his popular friends,” Al-Nassir said.
Aref Al-Saadi, the prime minister’s advisor for cultural affairs, also spoke to 964media, emphasizing the significance of Al-Haidari’s contribution. “Reviving Buland Al-Haidari’s memory today is a reminder of the essence of poetic modernity, which we mistakenly thought was limited to other names, but is clearly embodied in his experience,” Al-Saadi said.
He described Al-Haidari’s poetry as existential, epic, and dramatic, balancing its romanticism with a strong narrative core.
