TEHRAN -- Scholars reviewed the impact of the two Persian poets Shahriar and Nezami Ganjavi on cultural relations between Iran and Azerbaijan at the National Library of Azerbaijan in Baku on Tuesday.

Over 70 Iranian and Azeri scholars reviewed the works of Shahriar, a contemporary poet known for his Azari poems, and classic Ganja-born Nezami Ganjavi and their impact on cultural interactions between two countries.

At the ceremony, Iranian cultural attaché to Baku Ebrahim Nuri said that this is the first conference to be held for these poets and he expressed his hope that further conferences would be held jointly by the two countries.

Afterward, Azeri scholar Wasim Muhammed Aliov who is known for his studies on Persian poet Shahriar said, “one can find enjoyment of Persian poetry in poems composed by these two poets.

 Mohammad-Hossein Behjat Tabrizi (1906-1988) whose pen name was Shahriar, was undoubtedly a gifted and talented contemporary poet. He is the composer of the first and most famous Azari language poetry anthology, entitled “Heydar Baba,” ever written by an Iranian. 

Known for his “Leili and Majnun” and “Khosrow-o-Shirin”, Nezami Ganjavi (c. 1141-1209 CE) lived and died in Ganja, an ancient city in Azerbaijan, where his mausoleum stands. He wrote in Persian, as was the literary custom of the day.

On the sideline of the event, the Azeri version of the second volume of the sonnets composed by the Persian poet and intellectual Molla Mohammad Fozuli was unveiled.

The event was attended by Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini and the book’s translator Asgar Shahi. 

Entitled “Iran in the Passage of Time”, the Iranian cultural week that also includes exhibitions of calligraphy, painting, regional costumes, and Persian carpet is currently underway in Baku and Ganja.

Bidel ensemble conducted by Hessameddin Seraj and Azari Dalgha ensemble conducted by Changiz Mehdipur also had performances in Baku on Tuesday night.

As a result of discussions between Azerbaijan`s first deputy prime minister Yagub Eyubov and Iran’s Deputy Culture Minister for Cinematic Affairs Javad Shamaqdari, plans were annouinced to have a joint cinematic project on youth.

SB/YAW

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