TEHRAN – All poems by Persian poet Mehdi Akhavan-Saless (1928-1990) have recently been published in two volumes 27 years after his death.

“The Divan of Mehdi Akhavan-Saless” was unveiled during a ceremony held by the Persian literary monthly Bokhara at the Mahmud Afshar Foundation in Tehran on Tuesday to commemorate the poet.

The ceremony was was attended by a number of literati including author Mahmud Dolatabadi and poet Mohammadreza Shafiei Kadkani.

Akhavan-Saless wrote over twenty books including “Arghanun” and “Winter”. He was well acquainted with Persian classical poetry. However, he focused on free verse poetry.

Dolatabadi began the ceremony with a long recitation of poetry by Akhavan-Saless.

Persian literature scholar Bahram Parvin Gonabadi said that Akhavan helped open the way for poetry in his time, “Akhavan was also after modernity but his modernity was rooted in , that is, it was a type of Iranian modernity.”

Akhavan’s son, Zardosht who is also the manager of Zemestan Publication, the publisher of his father’s books, said that the young generation who were born after the death of Akhavan show more interest in his father’s poetry.

“Akhavan died in August 1990. But now after 27 years his fans are increasing day by day,” he added.

“This shows the influence of thought and poetry among the fans. Zemestan Publications have made their best efforts to publish all his articles, letters, stories and poetry over the past years,” he remarked.

“Akhavan himself believed that his books must be published at low prices so that those who can’t afford much, especially the youth, could easily purchase the books.”

The ceremony ended screening short films about Akhavan and scenes featuring the poet reciting pieces of his poetry.

An exhibition of calligraphy works highlighting the poetry of Akhavan inscribed by Ali Pasandideh was also set up on the margins of the program.

Akhavan taught Persian literature at the University of Tehran and several other academic centers, and was sentenced to several years in prison and exile for his political activities during the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
 
Akhavan-Saless was buried in Tus beside the tomb of Ferdowsi, the poet who wrote the Persian epic masterpiece, the Shahnameh.

RM/YAW