RIYADH — Prince Badr Bin Abdulmohsin, the renowned Saudi Arabian poet, passed away on Saturday at the age of 75. His death was mourned by officials and celebrities across Saudi Arabia and the Arab world. Prince Badr, who was born on April 2, 1949, was one of the most prominent poets in the Arabian Peninsula. His poems were often transformed into songs by notable Gulf composers, including Talal Maddah and Abdul Rab Idris. His exceptional contributions to Arabic poetry earned him the moniker "The Engineer of Words." He became a significant figure in Saudi poetry, known for his eloquence and philosophical insights that captivated audiences for nearly half a century. He was recognized as a pioneer of poetic modernism in the Arabian Peninsula, skillfully blending themes of love, pride, and social and political realities in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world. His poems were sung by distinguished artists such as Talal Maddah, Mohammed Abdu, and Kadim Al Sahir. Prince Badr received numerous accolades, including the Order of King Abdulaziz in 2019. In the same year, the General Entertainment Authority honored him with an event titled "Prince Badr Bin Abdulmohsin Night: Half a Century and the Full Moon." In March 2021, the Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Authority announced plans to collect and publish his complete literary works in recognition of his contributions to Saudi creative culture over five decades. Prince Badr studied in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and later in Britain and the United States. In 1973, he became the president of the Saudi Society for Culture and Arts and served as the chairman of Saudi Poetry Organization. He also wrote opening operettas for several local festivals, including the Janadriyah Festival. After decades of poetic achievements, his collected works were published during the Riyadh International Book Fair in 2022. The works, titled "Hovering Clouds," "Letter from a Bedouin," "What the Bird Carves in the Date Palm," and "A Painting Perhaps a Poem," were produced under the supervision of the Badr Bin Abdulmohsin Cultural Foundation. The production was supported by the Ministry of Culture's Literature, Publishing, and Translation Authority. The works are being translated into English and French by Saudi Art House under the oversight of the authority. The poet was mourned by many prominent figures from various domains, reflecting his significant influence and cherished memory.
