TEHRAN – On the National Day of Persian Poetry and Literature, Tehran’s Art Bureau opened a calligraphy exhibition dedicated to Mohammad-Hossein Behjat Tabrizi – Shahriar, one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Persian poetry.

Attended by calligraphy artists, cultural figures, and Art Bureau officials, the ceremony also welcomed some special guests, including Ali-Asghar Sherdoust, a former member of the Iranian Parliament, Ruhollah Motefakker Azad, the representative of Tabriz people in the current parliament, Sharareh Khoshknabi, Shahriar’s niece, and several other enthusiasts and art lovers.

The exhibition features 36 calligraphy works depicting Shahriar's poems by artists from his birthplace, East Azarbaijan province, along with four portrait paintings of the poet. 

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Ali Foruzanfar, the artistic deputy of the bureau, expressed his admiration for the organization of such exhibitions.

He also emphasized the importance of paying tribute to Shahriar, while also commemorating the Persian Language.

For his part, Sherdoust, who suggested the idea of establishing Persian Poetry and Literature Day in honor of the late Shahriar's legacy in 1999, emphasized the need for a day dedicated to the rich heritage of Persian poetry. 

Sherdoust expressed his belief that every noteworthy poet, throughout history and in the present, deserves recognition and appreciation.

He went on to reminisce about the humble lifestyle of Shahriar, describing the late master as a man of immense knowledge and culture. 

He also noted that Shahriar was fluent in Arabic and French and had frequent interactions with elite members of society.

Moreover, he expressed his admiration for the late master's dedication to preserving and promoting the authenticity of the Persian language. 

Nasser Feiz, the director of the Persian Language Preservation and Promotion Office of the bureau, also said that in his view, for the naming of the Persian poetry and literature day, Shahriar is the most deserving figure. 

Great poets such as Saadi, Hafez, and Ferdowsi hold an esteemed position in Persian literature, however, in modern times, Shahriar stood out as a pioneering poet of his generation, he said. 

Shahriar did not show any favoritism towards the Persian or Azerbaijani languages and spoke of poetry in both languages with equal reverence, he mentioned. 

Shahriar's mastery of both languages allowed him to attract a wide fanbase, not just among Persian speakers but also among non-Persian ethnic groups, he noted. 

Organized by the Visual Arts Center of the bureau in collaboration with the East Azarbaijan’s Art Bureau, the exhibit will be underway at the Abolfazl Aali Gallery of the Art Bureau in Tehran until September 27. 
 
National Day of Persian Poetry and Literature is observed every year on the death anniversary of the most prominent figure of contemporary Persian poetry, Mohammad-Hossein Behjat Tabrizi – Shahriar.

As the most prominent figure of contemporary Persian literature, Shahriar was mainly influenced by the poetry of Hafez, a Persian poet writing in the 14th century. 

Shahriar, who also composed works in Azerbaijani, published his first book of poems in 1929 with prefaces by Persian literature scholars Mohammad-Taqi Bahar, Saeid Nafisi and Pejman Bakhtiari.

“Heidar Babaya Salam” is Shahriar’s most famous Azerbaijani poetry collection, which highlights his birthplace, the village of Heidar Baba.

SAB/