The literary and cultural scene mourns the loss of esteemed Kuwaiti poet, literary figure, and businessman Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain, who passed away on Friday at the age of 87. The National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters in Kuwait expressed their condolences and recognized Al-Babtain as one of the most prominent cultural figures in Kuwaiti and Arab poetry.
Al-Babtain, revered for his contributions to the culture and poetry landscape, had published several poetry collections that enriched the Arab literary world. His first anthology, released in 1995, was titled “The Whispers of the Desert,” followed by his second collection in 2004, “Traveler in the Wastelands.” His third collection, published in 2017, was named “Songs of the Wilderness.” That same year, he also released a book entitled “Reflections for Peace,” available in both Arabic and English, advocating for harmony and understanding across cultures.
In 1989, the poet established the Abd al-Aziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation, which originated from Cairo under the name “Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain’s Prize for Poetic Creativity.” This non-profit cultural institution awards poets and publishes literary anthologies, underscoring its commitment to promoting literature and recognizing talent within poetry.
Al-Babtain’s cultural and academic efforts earned him honorary doctorates from several universities. He received an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Yarmouk University in Jordan in 2001 and an honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Gye University in Kyrgyzstan in 2002. The University of Kuwait bestowed upon him an honorary doctorate in 2015 in recognition of his substantial donations and efforts to promote the Arabic language through literature and education.
The intellectual community has lost a noteworthy figure whose lifelong dedication to poetry and education has left an indelible imprint on Arabic culture. Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain’s legacy will continue to inspire and influence poets and literary enthusiasts for years to come.
