Sunday, September 2, 2007

UNESCO comemmorates Rumi

A day of commemoration is organized at UNESCO on 6 September 2007 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the birth of Mawlana Jalal-ud-Din Balkhi-Rumi, one of the greatest Persian poets, philosophers and scholars of the world. (Read more)
In comemmoration of the event,
Iran Heritage Foundation is holding an event "Wondrous Words Conference" in conjunction with the British Museum in London from 13-15 September 2007.

Robert Bly who has done much to introduce rumi to America is organizing a multimedial celebration of this 800th anniversary.

Center for Persian Studies in the University of Maryland is also holding another International conference on Rumi from 28-30 September 2007.

Iranians, much delayed as they are busy preventing blood thirsty Neocons stepping their dirty feet on Iran, have also called for participation in an International Conference to be held in Tehran from 28 to 30 October 2007, aimed at reflecting on the thought and works of Mawlana, which surpass all political and geographical boundaries. (for more information and article submission contact academy@irip.ir.)

For the Rumi-novice, here's a Coleman Barks translation of some of his poems.

1 comment:

billie said...

i am sorry to have depressed you- the truth is not always pretty. i wish art and poetry and a common understanding was enough- but i am getting the feeling that bigger forces are at play here than politics in america. there is something i am missing and that is the key to why we are looking to going into iran and whatnot- greed and power notwithstanding. i wish i had good news for a change.