TEHRAN – Construction of a special cultural center began on Monday in the premises of the Shams-i Tabrizi mausoleum in the northwestern city of Khoy. 

A ground-breaking ceremony was conducted with attendance of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization Director Ali-Asghar Mounesan and several local officials, CHTO reported.

The center will be named after and dedicated to Shams-i Tabrizi who was a mentor of the famed Persian poet Molana Jalal ad-Din Rumi.

Born in the city of Tabriz, Shams lived together with Rumi in Konya for several years, and has been immortalized in Rumi’s collection of poetry named the “Divan of Shams ad-Din of Tabriz”.

AFM/MQ/MG