A TUNISIA POET

Life[edit]
Echebbi was born in Tozeur, Tunisia, on 24 February 1909, the son of a judge. He obtained his attatoui
diploma (the equivalent of the baccalauréat) in 1928. In 1930, he obtained a law diploma from the University
of Ez-Zitouna. The same year, he married and subsequently had two sons, Mohamed Sadok, who became a
colonel in the Tunisian army, and Jelal, who later became an engineer.

He was very interested in modern literature in particular, and translated romantic literature, as well as old
Arab literature. His poetic talent manifested itself at an early age and this poetry covered numerous topics,
from the description of nature to patriotism. His poems appeared in the most prestigious Tunisian and
Middle-Eastern reviews. His poem To the tyrants of the world became a popular slogan chant during the 2011
Tunisian and subsequently Egyptian demonstrations. [1]

Mausoleum of Abou El Kacem Chebbi

Echebbi died on 9 October 1934 at the Habib-Thameur Hospital in Tunis, Tunisia following a long history of
cardiac disorders. His portrait is on the current 10 DT note. Echebbi was considered by later Egyptian literary
critic Shawqi Daif to be among the very finest Arabic poets of the modern era. [2]

In late 2010 and 2011, Echebbi's poems became a source of inspiration for Arab protestors during the
revolutions of the Arab Spring, which began with the Jasmine revolution in Tunisia.[3] Since then, there has
been a revived interest in his work and his biography. [4]

Echabbi was buried in hometown Tozeur, Tunisia. His mausoleum is opened for visitors where they can visit
his tomb.

Works[edit]
• Ilā Ṭuġāt al-Ɛālam (To the tyrants of the world)
• Aġānī al-Ḥayāt (canticles of the life)
• Muđakkarāt (Memories)
• Rasā'il (A collection of letters)
• Ṣadīqī (A collection of seminars given to the Alumni Association of the college; caused quite a lot of
controversy among conservative literary groups)