Nissmah Roshdy was doing her bachelor’s degree in Animation and Visual Arts at the faculty of Applied Sciences and Arts in Cairo when she was first introduced to one of Mahmoud Darwish’s most fascinating poems at a live event back in 2008. Le Trio Joubran, a Palestinian oud trio that specializes in playing traditional Palestinian music made tribute to renowned poet Mahmoud Darwish by playing his recitation of one of his last poems,The Dice Player, and accompanying it with their own majestic oud music. That inspired Roshdy to make her tribute to Darwish as well, by adding a visual aspect in the form of animation to what was already a beautiful piece of art.

Nissmah’s goal was to introduce Darwish, the Palestinian national poet, to younger generations who don’t have much of an interest in reading poetry at a library, but would watch an appealing video that delivers them the lines of one of the greatest poets in recent history. The short clip went on to win the 2014 ZEBRA Prize for the Best Poetry Film!

Do you have a favorite Mahmoud Darwish poem? Let us know in the comments below!