Words (can) do it: The Name of the Beloved

Discover the figure of the Beloved in the poems of Jalal al-Din Rumi

During this evening’s event—the 6^th in the current cycle of Words (can) do it—poets Christos Siorikis and Christos Sakellaridis explore the desire, idea and material that shape the figure of the Beloved, as it emerges from poems and other texts of the Persian poet and mystic Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207 - 1273).

We have often told our Beloved we love them, but for some, these words, like prayer, is a daily need. Language seeks to finds its way to the Beloved, whether a real person, a divine form, or an unrequited love, as the Beloved’s silence can mean everything. The poet’s anxiety remains the same, whether he speaks or remains silent. What, then, is the purpose of the word? Why do I need to hear the Beloved’s words? Since I know he loves me, why do I long for him to respond? In this evening’s event, we address ourselves to the Beloved and invoke his presence; one way of doing so is to call him by his name.

Christos Siorikis grew up in Agrinio and lives in Athens. He studied Pedagogy and the Didactics of Literature at [ideally, add where he studied]. He teaches Spanish to children and adults. He writes poems and translates from Spanish. His book The First Time (2018) was nominated for the "Anagnostis" journal for the Writer’s Debut Award. His poems have been published in magazines and anthologies and translated into English, German, and Hebrew. He has translated, among others, three books by Julio Cortazar and organized a mini-festival dedicated to the Argentine author, as well as a variety of creative literary workshops and bilingual poetry readings. He has edited a tribute to the Greek writer Zacharias Papantoniou (2016) for the journal Nea Estia, led a discussion of Papantoniou’s work at the Philological Association Parnassos (2017) and arranged - as a member of the "Asty Group" – literary walks based on the writer’s Athenian works and those of George Ioannou.

Christos Sakellaridis was born in London, grew up in Rethymno and now lives in Athens. In England, he studied English Literature, Social Anthropology, and Pedagogy, and has worked in publishing, theater, international organizations, educational and non-governmental organizations. He has also worked as an English teacher in London, Cagliari and Athens and translates and writes poems. His poems and translations have been published in magazines and anthologies in Britain, Greece, Italy, Ireland, and Canada.

Words (can) do it: The Name of the Beloved

Presentation

Discover the figure of the Beloved in the poems of Jalal al-Din Rumi

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