Veteran Kuwaiti poet Yaqoub Yusef Al Subaie passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy of national poetry deeply cherished by Kuwaitis of all ages, both young and old.

Al Subaie began his illustrious journey in the 1960s, creating iconic works such as “We Are All for Kuwait and Kuwait Is Ours” and “O Sun of Holidays Prevails Over Kuwait,” among other beloved poems.

Yaqoub Al Subaie, born in 1945, significantly developed his cultural foundation during his time at the Shuwaikh High School dormitory. Immersed in the school’s library, he diligently read books on Arab heritage, particularly literary works and references such as “Kitab al–Aghani“(The Book of Songs) by Abu al–Faraj al–Isfahani, “Uyun al-Akhbar” by Ibn Qutayba, “Wafayat al-A’yan” by Ibn Khallikan, and most of Abu Uthmanal-Jahiz’s writings.

He also delved into historical texts like AlMasu’di’s “Muruj al-Dhahab” (The Meadows of Gold). This extensive reading cultivated a deep appreciation for literature and history, enriching his literary foundation and significantly contributing to the development of his poetic and literary talents.

Al Subaie was a devoted lover of Kuwait, capturing its essence in his poetry and celebrating its national milestones. His works were frequently performed and admired, with samples of his poetry even studied at the middle school level. AlSubaie published several poetry collections, including “Falling to the Top”, “Distances of the Soul”, “Silence is the Farm of Suspicions,” and “Illuminations of Black Gray Hair”. In addition to these collections, he wrote numerous poems that were not compiled into a single collection (Diwan).

He also contributed significantly to strengthening national unity through his poetry and poems,which expressed his deep love for Kuwait. The Ministry of Education included his poems in the curriculum for Intermediate school.

Al Subaie joined the Kuwaiti Writers Association in 1970, later serving as a member of its Board of Directors and as Secretary of the Association from 1986 to 1992. He also served as a jury member for the Al Babtain Prize for Poetic Creativity. Throughout his career, he worked at the Ministry of Interior, a national bank, and finally at theOffice of the Secretary General of Kuwait University.