Blake and Gibran: Poets of Prophetic Vision
Witness a unique conversation as the Blake Society’s Stephen Pritchard and poet, John Siddique, explore the similarities between two hugely influential writers and artists: William Blake and Kahlil Gibran.
Celebrated poet, painter and printmaker, William Blake, was one of the main inspirations behind Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, one of the bestselling books of all time.
Both Blake and Gibran were poets and artists who dabbled in prophetic vision. Their readings of the Bible, their rebellion against Church corruption and their sociopolitical visions were very similar. Gibran himself was referred to as the ‘twentieth-century Blake’ and actively emphasised the connection between them.
About the Poet
John Siddique
John Siddique is the author of Signposts of The Spiritual Journey, a book on accessing greater authenticity and meaning in our lives and ‘So’ (Collected New Poems 2011-21) and seven other books. His poetry collection Don’t Wear It on Your Head is a perennial favourite with younger readers.
His work has been featured in Time, Women and Home, The Tablet, Granta, the Guardian, Poetry Review, the Rialto and on BBC Radio 3 and 4. Besides his books and writing life, John is a hugely popular meditation teacher. He is the creator of two online courses, ‘Self-Acceptance Through Authenticity’ and ‘Magical Moments’, and his online meditations have had over two million downloads.
About the Chair
Stephen Pritchard
Stephen Pritchard is Secretary of the Blake Society. He studied Blake at Exeter College, Oxford, teaching undergraduates and running classes on Blake. Stephen co-founded the WOMAD Festival in 1982 with four friends and Peter Gabriel. He is also on the committee and a host for the Jung Lectures, Bristol. Stephen taught drama for many years and has made eight educational drama films, and recently created and directed a multimedia play, Albion, Awake! about William and Catherine Blake’s life and work.
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