The Legacy of Mohamed Serghini
Throughout decades of poetic creation, Moroccan poet Mohamed Serghini has never wavered in his commitment to transforming poetry into a profound quest for meaning, seeking to transcend the limits of language. With an unwavering dedication to excavating the depths of knowledge, Serghini, who passed away on August 14, 2026, at the age of 96, has left an indelible mark on Moroccan poetry. He retreated into the shadows of his home in Fez in recent years, yet his poetic contributions have made the Moroccan literary landscape richer and less influenced by external forces. Critics have noted that Serghini adeptly dissolved the apparent contradictions between poetic creation and self-awareness, crafting poetry that serves as an existential medium for the convergence of the transient and the essential.
A Multifaceted Poet and Scholar
Serghini's poetic journey was characterized by an increasing fervor, emerging from a complex, vibrant space infused with awareness, where various fields of knowledge coexist—mysticism, mythology, history, philosophy, memory, physics, astrology, and proverbs. His mastery of language transformed it into a living entity, perpetually ready to explore its potential in every poem, often plunging readers into realms only navigable by those well-versed in metaphysics. This complexity defies reduction into a single style or movement, as Serghini charted a unique course that continuously challenged his readers. His poetry became a relentless exploration for an alternative existence, inventing language that opened windows to the extraordinary.
Born in Fez in 1930, Serghini's upbringing in a city steeped in cultural history profoundly shaped his spiritual and intellectual development. His early consciousness of language and heritage laid the groundwork for a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, leading him from the University of Al Quaraouiyine to Baghdad, Rabat, and eventually Paris, where he earned a Doctorate from the Sorbonne in 1985. His academic journey was intrinsically linked to his creative endeavors; he embodied the roles of teacher, researcher, and poet, viewing the university as a space for knowledge production and poetry as a medium for testing and transcending its limits.
Since joining the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in Fez in the early 1960s, Serghini has significantly influenced generations of students and researchers, leaving an impact that went beyond academic instruction to foster critical sensibilities and literary tastes. As Deputy Dean of the Faculty from 1986 to 1991, he became a central figure in Moroccan cultural and academic life, balancing the rigor of a researcher with the sensitivity of a poet. However, above all, Serghini recognized that poetry is an adventure in language, and true poetry begins when language ceases to perform its conventional functions. His work is infused with creative ambiguity, suggestion, myth, symbolism, and a strong presence of mystical heritage, all while avoiding mere nostalgia; he summoned the past to interrogate it and extract a new energy capable of liberating contemporary poetic expression from the clutches of traditional poetic institutions.
His poetry is a journey into the unknown, with words transforming into beings in search of their destinies. The concept of 'Mount Qaf' in his work transcends mere legendary space; it symbolizes the pursuit of the impossible and the utmost limits that imagination can reach. Additionally, 'The Sabaean Being' becomes a call to the distant, historical, and mythical, aimed at reconstructing the present poetically. His overall body of work resembles a linguistic laboratory where mystical memory interacts with modern poetic sensibility. Serghini rightfully earned his place among the poets who transitioned Moroccan poetry from a singular model to a broad realm of experimentation. He successfully fused his diverse knowledge into a modern, dense language resistant to rapid consumption, demanding a reader who collaborates with the poet in recognizing potential, intuition, and interpretation, akin to navigating a labyrinth with a well-defined exit.
Despite the symbolic density of Serghini's work, it has not escaped the neglect often faced by unconventional experiences. Cultural institutions honored him with the International Arkhana Poetry Prize in 2005, recognizing his contribution to Arabic and humanistic literature. He also received the Morocco Book Award in the poetry category in 2013, affirming his established position in Moroccan poetry, alongside numerous accolades and studies dedicated to his poetic works. However, no award, no matter how prestigious, can encapsulate the influence of a poet like Serghini, who has profoundly impacted language and infused a unique sensitivity into the poetry of his era—requiring time to be fully appreciated and a daring reader willing to venture off the beaten path. Therefore, understanding Serghini solely as a poet is insufficient; he was a cultural figure with a vast project that extended into criticism, semiotics, philosophy, translation, narrative, and theater. In his 'Lectures on Semiotics,' he appears as a researcher engaging with signs as a gateway to understanding the world. His explorations of poetics and translation reveal a scholar who believed that Arabic culture could only advance through a creative dialogue with human achievements.
Ultimately, Serghini's work is not a mere reflection of a lost idea in the world devoid of references; it is characterized by a profound willingness to challenge the reader and a remarkable inclination towards self-neglect, establishing a poetry that gazes toward the future. He understood that poetry lacking an exquisite curiosity for depth does not deserve to live. This explains his indifference to what critics write about his work; he does not compete with others nor is he troubled by their discussions. For him, it suffices to be a steadfast opponent of all that is distorted or corrupt.
As reported by alaraby.co.uk.
