TEHRAN A festival in commemoration of Nima Youshij, the contemporary Iranian poet and father of modern Iranian poetry, was held in two Canadian cities.

The festival which began on July 7 will continue in Toronto and Montreal until July 14.

The festival of Nima Youshij is being sponsored by the Cultural Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Canada with cooperation of the cultural centers of Iranians residing in this country.

The festival aims to preserve and promote Persian culture and literature.