By Afshin Majlesi

Glimpses of bread making in Iran

Since the olden days, bread has been the staple diet of the folks living in the semi-arid Iranian plateau. Traditional and ethnic Persian breads are famed for their strong flavor, quality, and diversity.

Abbas Saffari, poet of “Our Story”, dies of COVID-19

TEHRAN – Iranian poet and translator Abbas Saffari, the composer of the modern parody “Our Story” about Adam and Eve, died of COVID-19 on Tuesday at a hospital in Long Beach, California. He was 69.

Poet Alireza Raheb dies from coronavirus

TEHRAN – Iranian writer Alireza Raheb, the poet of the acclaimed collection “Part-Time Love”, passed away from COVID-19 at Tehran’s Atieh Hospital on Thursday. He was 53.

Gold-illuminated Divan of Hafez sells for 375,000 GBP at Sotheby’s

TEHRAN – A gold-illuminated Divan of Hafez, one of the earliest copies of the work of the 14th-century illustrious Persian poet, has recently sold for 375,000 GBP in an online auction held in London by the Sotheby's.

Awe-inspiring, ancient and lonely: Zahhak Castle

Sightseers pay a visit to the ruined Zahhak Castle which is perched on a hillside near Hashtroud, northwest Iran, on May 19, 2020. 

National Shiraz Day: an emblem of Persian history, culture, and literature

TEHRAN – Yesterday, many lovers of Persian culture, history and literature marked the National Shiraz Day mainly through online programs and visits to Hafezieh where Hafez, an illustrious 14th-century Persian poet, is laid to rest in the southern Iranian city.

Sadi National Day: constantly hectic mausoleum records unprecedented lockdown

TEHRAN – Photos depict mausoleum of Sheikh Muslih od-Din Sadi Shirazi, known by his pen name Sadi, being deserted amid COVID-19 pandemic on April 20, which marks the national day of the 13th-century Iranian poet.

Bust of Ferdowsi now graces university in Russia

TEHRAN – A bust of Ferdowsi, one of the most celebrated Persian poets, has recently been installed at the North Ossetian State University, which is one of the largest public institutions in the south of Russia, IRNA reported.

A Captive Spirit: Marina Tsvetaeva’s Russia

There are more museums dedicated to Russian and Soviet poet Marina Tsvetaeva and her family in Russia than to any other poet. Here is a list of the top places to visit in Tsvetaeva’s Russia, which are dotted all over the country, from Tarusa to Feodosia. Let’s get started, or as the Russians say — Poekhali!

Poet Hossein Ahi dies at 66

TEHRAN – Poet Hossein Ahi who was well-known for his religious compositions and the literary programs created for the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), died on Tuesday. He was 66.

Tehran seminar explores Sadi, Iqbal poetries

TEHRAN – On Wednesday, the Embassy of Pakistan in Tehran hosted a seminar to discuss affinities between Persian poet Sadi (C. 1213-1291) and leading Pakistani poet and philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877 – 1938), with sharpening the focus on Iqbal’s Asrar-e-Khudi (“The Secrets of the Self”).

By Afshin Majlesi

Poets’ Mausoleum, a prime cultural destination

TEHRAN – Poets’ Mausoleum or Maqbaratoshoara is a prime cultural destination for travelers to Tabriz. It attracts a great number of Iranian and foreign visitors interested in literature and art.

Ground broken for cultural center in Khoy

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. 

University of Guilan honors poet Shams Langerudi

TEHRAN – Mohammad Shams Lagerudi, the 68-year-old poet of such outstanding collections as “Ode to the Slit Smile”, “Ashes & the Lady” and “The Hidden Fete”, was honored for his lifetime achievements by the Guilan Research Center at the University of Guilan on Saturday.

CHHTO plans to expand, renovate Ferdowsi mausoleum

TEHRAN – The Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization has announced plans to expand, restore and renovate mausoleum of the illustrious Persian poet Ferdowsi in Tus, northeastern Khorasan Razavi province.