New Divan - A Lyrical Dialogue between East and West

A New Divan is a collection of original poems by twenty-four leading poets, twelve from the East and twelve from the West, inspired by Goethe's West-Eastern Divan and the culture of the Other. The poems are written in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Slovenian, and three pairs of essays enhance and complement the poems. The book celebrates Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, the art of poetry, and the art of translation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 27 September 2019
Publisher: Gingko Library

In commemoration of Goethe and the 200th anniversary of the initial publication of his renowned poem sequence, the West-Eastern Divan (1819), A New Divan presents a remarkable collection of original poems by twenty-four esteemed poets. Twelve of these poets hail from the "East," while the remaining twelve are from the "West." This extraordinary compilation fosters a truly international poetic dialogue, inspired by the culture of the "Other" and Goethe's late, great work. The poets originate from diverse regions across the "East," spanning from Morocco to Turkey, Syria to Afghanistan, and from diverse regions across the "West," including Germany, the United States, Estonia, Brazil, and more. Engaging in writing in Arabic, Persian, and Turkish, as well as English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Slovenian, each pair of poets has responded to one of the themes present in Goethe's original Divan, encompassing concepts such as "The Poet," "Love," "The Tyrant," "Faith," and "Paradise." Working directly with the original poets or through a bridge translation, the twenty-two English-language poets have crafted new poems that draw upon the poetic forms and cultures of the participating poets. Additionally, three pairs of essays serve to enhance and complement the poems, mirroring Goethe's original "Notes and Essays for a Better Understanding of the West-Eastern Divan." A New Divan emerges as a transformative and lyrical discourse, particularly relevant in our time when understanding of the "Other" holds paramount importance. By celebrating Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, it also pays tribute to the art of poetry and translation, showcasing the profound connections between different cultures and languages.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 238 x 157 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781909942288