Sayeh: This generation is free from false nationalism

Algerian poet Baghdad Sayeh has a unique style, one that can be heard in his collection of poems "Forgotten Lanterns." Arabstoday exclusively met the artist and talked about his poems which try to embody a free land forgotten by its people. Sayeh said: “Poetry unlike novels need more than reading, it needs recitation and a special delivery, it gets into the soul." Sayeh believes that those who see novels as overtaking poetry are mistaken; "Poetry will always exist in many forms of art including music, theatre and poetic literature" he stated. "The literary forums in Algeria do not carry out serious cultural projects, but if there were intensified efforts between academics, publishers and creators, there could be a collective creation of a policy to include literature in schools and everyday life. Writers have marginalised themselves; they’ve let ignorant people lead our culture into the abyss."  "The new generation in Algeria are capable of improving global literature and are free from false naïve nationalism,” added Sayeh.  However he expressed deep regret about what was happening in the region.  “The Arab reality does not allow people to react the way we want, it still suppresses voices that oppose the general direction of the Sultans and cancels our free will and thoughts.”