In Memory of Iliya Abu Madi

The great assembly hall of the American University was packed on Thursday evening, January 23 last, with hundreds of people, come to attend the commemoration of Iliya Abu Madi, at the invitation of the men of letters and under the patronage of literature. Perhaps it was this very popularity that paved the way, from the outset, for the ceremony's brilliant success.

The master of ceremonies, Youssef al-Khal, opened the proceedings with a minute of silence in mourning for the man commemorated, then introduced the five speakers in turn, each of whom spoke of Abu Madi from his own particular angle. His friend George Saydah elegized him in a tender, traditional ode; the great poetess Nazik al-Malaika (Iraq) placed him with due respect in her precise poetic balance; Sheikh Abdullah al-Alayli delivered an eloquent address on poetry; then Adonis recited selections from Abu Madi's verse, and his recitation was truly splendid. After him came the word of Syria, delivered by Dr. Sami al-Dahhan. The ceremony was closed by the friend of the man honored, our great man of letters Mikhail Naimy, who touched upon some of the departed poet's stances in verse and on his own memories of him...

And as the people were about to leave, one of the departed's kinswomen, Miss Melvina Abu Madi, rose and thanked the committee of honor.