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Hikmat Abou Zeid, aged 41, boasts an illustrious career as a jurist, presently occupying the role of Vice President at OMT, a renowned money transfer corporation based in Lebanon. This professional commitment, interwoven with a fervent passion for his business, forms a significant aspect of his identity. However, Zeid’s affinities extend beyond the corporate realm, and embrace the literary sphere as well. An accomplished author and poet in his leisure, he finds great delight in the artful manipulation of words.
Renowned author and man of letters, Hikmat Abou Zeid consistently imbues his works with an abiding love for language, despite the changing mediums of his expression. This impassioned devotion to the written word invariably serves a contemplative lens directed towards others. A seasoned practitioner, Zeid’s favored third party approach has previously received resounding acclaim for his inaugural work, La Révolution institutionnelle au Liban (published by Antoine). In this seminal text, he elucidates the most efficacious paths culminating in societal welfare. This sweeping overhaul of governance mechanisms now graces the shelves of esteemed Parisian libraries such as the Sorbonne, BULAC, the Institut du Monde Arabe, and Matignon.
A mere two years subsequent to his poignant pamphlet’s publication, Zeid demonstrates his literary versatility by turning to the realm of poetry with Les Artères de l’instant (published by Antoine). This work was unveiled during an illustrious evening gathering at Arthaus in Gemmayze. Zeid sharpens his literary prowess to present unpublished verses amidst a recital featuring Yasmina Massoud, Randa Sadaka, and Paul Noujaim. Through his verses, Zeid provides a profoundly personal exploration of human emotions, life experiences, and existential dilemmas. His anthology of 65 brief poems delves into pivotal moments of his life such as “Instants d’ailleurs”, “L’instant fugitif”, “Instants célestes”, “L’instant des autres”, and “L’instant collectif”.
Trigger
The impetus propelling Hikmat Abou Zeid’s foray into the literary realm was a therapeutic one, as he divulges in a conversation with Ici Beyrouth. “A naturally introverted individual, I discovered that writing and the pen served as liberating catalysts. The years between 2004 and 2010 witnessed a flurry of writing activity on my part. This was followed by a 12-year-long poetic silence,” Zeid shares, attributing this hiatus to marital duties and the ensuing responsibilities of parenthood.
Les Artères de l’instant tackles a panoply of themes, from Lebanon, femininity, and love, to the ponderous weight of time, past agonies, and anxieties for the future. “This anthology is my homage to life, a phenomenon I perceive as miraculous,” Zeid states.
Each poem functions as a portal into Zeid’s psyche, conveying intense emotions and profound musings. The meticulously selected diction crafts vivid imagery that reverberates with readers, guiding them on a journey of emotional and intellectual exploration. The resonance of this anthology transcends mere reading, inviting pondering, introspection, and the development of profound connections with oneself and the surrounding universe. It encourages readers to navigate their own emotions and discover solace, optimism, and comprehension in the verses’ poetic eloquence.
“For me, poetry serves as a potent elixir,” declares an animated Zeid, rounding off the discussion. “It is safe to predict that my poetic journey won’t end here.” The literary world eagerly awaits his next contribution.
