TEHRAN, Dec. 7 (MNA) Iranian literati gathered for a ceremony at the Persian Language Center in Tehran on Thursday to pay tribute to Persian poet and mystic Molana Jalal ad-Din Rumi (1207-1273).The ceremony was organized by the Persian literary magazine Bokhara on the verge of the 740th death anniversary of Rumi, which falls on December 17.
The commemoration was one of the regular sessions the magazine holds to review works by Iranian and international literati and cultural figures.
Rumis 22nd niece Esin Celebi, who is also the deputy director of Turkeys International Mevlana Foundation, was also invited to the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bokhara Managing Director Ali Dehbashi expressed his happiness over holding such ceremonies in Tehran and Konya to pay tribute to Rumi.
Celebrated Iranian novelist Mahmud Dowlatabadi next praised 50 years of constant research work conducted by Mohammad-ali Movahhed on Rumis works, and then recited part of his book.
Such ceremonies are very beneficial for our cultural development, said Movahhed, and afterwards gave a brief report on the research conducted on Rumi in recent years.
Celebi was called on stage and gave a short explanation about Rumi and his households.
The ceremony continued with screening photos of Rumis tomb located in the Turkish city of Konya.
Moreover, expert on Rumi Movahhed, filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, stage director Pari Saberi and vocalist Salar Aqili were among the participants who were honored and received a plaque from the Mevlana Foundation.
They were also handed a silver cup of Tabriz Artists Forum and a CD bearing the lyrics of Shams-i Tabrizi performed by Aqili.
In addition, Celebi received a portrait of Celebi taken by prominent photographer Fakhreddin Fakhreddini along with a copy of Kiarostamis The Fire, a book in which Kiarostami gave a rendition of the Divan of Shams.
The ceremony was brought to an end with a live music performance by Aqili singing a selection of Rumis lyrics.
By Mehr News Agency
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