'Broken Wings' carry Khalil Gibran home to Lebanon
Addressing issues of patriarchy, immigration and religious power, beloved writer Kahlil Gibran’s century-old novel 'Broken Wings' and a musical based on it are powerfully relevant today.
BEIRUT — Speaking about the new musical about the life of legendary Lebanese writer Khalil Gibran, Lebanese-British playwright Nadim Naaman told Al-Monitor, “Lebanon is extremely proud of him and extremely vocal about how he is one of their own. But what they aren’t so good at is looking at him in a new light.”
In the musical he co-wrote, "Broken Wings," Naaman wanted to show Middle Eastern audiences "this guy who was critiquing them massively 100 years ago.”
The musical, adapted from Gibran’s novella of the same name, made its international debut at the Beiteddine Art Festival July 24-26.
The poet, artist, writer and philosopher's work preached love, challenged power and explored humanist themes at the turn of the century. Gibran is currently the third highest-selling poet of all time and a Lebanese national icon.
