This article has been translated by myself from Shababek article by Mohammed Ahmed (the following link http://shbabbek.com/show/138943?fbclid=IwAR0MSy_FgsOoNz3_dURo6gLbX-N4NA2dMY6yuHvaYuu_HQlp2Jb9w9LQEZ0 )
Rainer Maria Rilke is considered one of the most well-known poets in the first half of 20th century Germany. Due to his significant contribution, scholars and critics have names him “the prince of Germany’s poets”, and when his poetry reached other corners of Europe, he was dubber by some papers “the prince of the world’s poets”.
Egypt was present in Rilke’s life as he visited the country in 1911, but what’s odd is his love story with an Egyptian woman, as some claim, that caused his death. How did he come to Egypt? How did he live there? and what’s the love story with the Egyptian woman? Rajaa Al-Naqash answers all these questions in his book “geniuses and madmen”.
Comfort in Egypt
Rilke sought to discover the world and to experience different lifestyle, so he traveled around the European cities until he settled in Paris. But soon enough the bustle and noise of Paris irritated him, only to leave him dejected and disappointed from a short miserable marriage. The poet decided to change the route of his travels towards the east, so he visited Algeria and Tunisia, and stayed in Egypt for three months beginning in January 1911.
Egypt left an important mark in his life, for its offered a quite stay filled with simple and warm people. Especially since, at that time, Egypt was far from the hustle and the bustle of the burgeoning European industrial scene. There, Rilke found a sense of serenity and yet maintained a contact with his European society, since Egypt was colonized by the British Mandate. The latter appointed Khedive Abbas Hilmi II as a ruler in the country despite his allegiance to the Turks, who in turn fought next to the Germans against the British. When first World War erupted, Abbas Hilme was ousted due to his support to the Central Powers.
Clearly, Rilke felt a sense of solidarity in Egypt, since the people abhorred the English and voiced their support for the Central Powers, headed by Germany. Nonetheless, Germany was not interested in the independence of Egypt or its people, but at that time the people of Egypt were blinded by the atrocity of the English colonization.
Leaving Egypt after 100 days, Rilke took with him a precious souvenir: the holy Koran that accompanied him until his death.
The daughter of the Minister and the Prince of Poets
Rilke spent the final period of his life in Switzerland- moving from one mansion to another, where he was hosted by aristocrats offering him a haven from the noise of the city and the society.
It was in during his stay in Savoy hotel in the city of Lausanne that he met the Egyptian woman by the name of Nia’mat A’lawi- an aristocrat who attaiend full European education. It was common for the young Egyptian aristocrats to roam the cities of Europe, especially since the Egyptian society at that time imposed strict, social constraints on women. And one of these rebellious souls was Nia’mar A’lawi- the daughter of the Egyptian politician Ahmad Kheiri Basha who worked as a minister of Education in Egypt after the Arab loss in 1882.
His daughter was married to the son of a Turkish Aristocrat by the name of A’ziz A’lawi, thus she took the last name A’lawi. Nia’mat lived in Switzerland after she separated from her husband. She spoke German and read its literature, among which the work of Rilke. She admired his work and touched its depth and beauty.
When Rilke met her, he also sensed her admiration and appreciation. Soon enough, the nascent infatuation between the young lovers became passionate love that lasted until his death in 1926, at the age of 51.
Mysterious Illness
Dr. Rabia’ H’aqi writes in his book “Rilke- the Prince of German Poets” about this odd story saying: “Rilke died from a disease that was transmitted from Nia’mat A’lawi, who in turn carried this disease from her late husband A’ziz A’lawi. After his death, Nia’mat fell into deep sorrow that lasted until she met the Russian prince Nicolai Matcherski, to whom she married.
However, happiness didn’t last for the second World War soon broke out, and thus her Russian husband was called to fight in the fronts. She, in turn, left for Normandy and died before the liberation of Europe. and as H’aqi writes, she died while reading Rilke’s letters and work.
Reasons of Death
Rajaa Al-Naqash responds to what H’aqi writes about Rilke’s death clarifying that if Nia’mat were to transmit this vague disease to Rilke, she would have suffered similar fatal death. Yet, Nia’mat lived for 15 years after his death, so it’s unreasonable that Nia’mat could have killed Rilke.
There’s another story saying that The Prince of Germany has died because of leukemia.
AICHA BINT YUSIF 