TEHRAN -- Iranian artists and literary figures will be guests at the second part of the Western-Eastern Divan Festival in Weimar in October. The first stage was held in Shiraz in June, hosting the German delegation.

Iranian signers Salar Aqili, and Hesameddin Seraj as well as author Mahmud Dowlatabadi are invited to the 2009 program of the festival.
An exhibition of Iranian artworks, artifacts, and rare carpets will open on October 6 and run to the 8. Also included are a book fair, photo exhibits and Iranian cuisine.
Singer Agili will perform on October 9 at the Weimarhalle with his ensemble “Raz-o-Niaz”.
Poems by Hafiz will be recited with music by Amir Kalhor on tar and Nima Zaker-Ameli on tonbak on October 11. Author Mahmud Dowlatabadi will also read part of his latest novel “The Colonel” on the same day.
The world premier of “Four Folk Tune Variations” and “Suite in the old Style” composed by Mohsen Mirmehdi and played by Anne Folger is also scheduled on October 12.
Hesameddin Seraj and his ensemble “Bidel” will play traditional Iranian music on October 13.
The Egyptian chamber chorus of the German School of the Sisters of Mercy of St. Borromeo will play music accompanied by instrumentalists of the Musikgymnasium Schloss Belvedere, Weimar in cooperation with the Anna Lindh Foundation on October 10.
A number of Goethe admirers from Germany traveled to Iran to commemorate the Iranian poet Hafez during a program held at his mausoleum in Shiraz on June 10