Armenia will host a conference to commemorate the ancient Persian poet Saadi of Shiraz (1210-1291) in May.
The event was announced by Vardan Voskanian, the chair of Iranian Studies Faculty at the State University of Yerevan, in a recent meeting held at Niavaran Cultural Center in Tehran.
Tigran Karapetyan, advisor to the Armenian prime minister and Seyyed Abbas Sajjadi, director of Niavaran Artistic Creation Foundation were present, Mehr News Agency reported.
Enhancing bilateral cultural relations were also discussed. Pointing to the emphasis of the Armenian president on expanding two-way relations, especially in cultural tourism, Sajjadi said: “In our earlier visit to Armenia, we discussed holding joint poetry-nights at Yerevan’s famous Blue Mosque.”
Cultural and historical similarities between the two countries “provide the grounds for strengthening bilateral ties.”
Voskanian praised Iranians for their friendliness and hospitality and said Iranian contemporary arts, such as poetry, have been influenced by its rich cultural background. “Iran is a symbol of culture and brotherhood for my country. We share major historical and cultural commonalities.”
Armenians are interested in Iranian art styles and love the beautiful Persian language. It is to fulfill this interest that a commemoration conference on Saadi and his outstanding poetries will be held in Yerevan in the presence of prominent literary figures from both sides, he said.
Greatest Poets
Abu-Muhammad Muslih al-Din bin Abdallah Shirazi, better known by his pen-name Saadi was one of the most acclaimed Persian poets and literary figures of the medieval period. He is not only famous in Persian-speaking countries, but has been quoted in western sources as well. He is recognized for the quality of his writings and for the depth of his social and moral thoughts.
Saadi is widely recognized as one of the greatest poets of the classical literary tradition. His best known works are Bustan (The Orchard) completed in 1257 and Gulistan (The Rose Garden) in 1258. Bostan is entirely in verse, comprising stories aptly illustrating the standard virtues recommended to Muslims (justice, liberality, modesty and contentment).
Gulistan is mainly in prose and contains stories and personal anecdotes. The text is interspersed with a variety of short poems, which contain aphorisms, advice, and humorous reflections, demonstrating Saadi’s profound awareness of the absurdity of human existence.
