Tabriz host to int'l congress on Shahriar

The two-day international congress on Shahriar, the noted Iranian poet, began on September 16 and will end today. Thirty professors from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey and Azerbaijan Republic are taking part in the event.
Elaborating on the agenda of the congress, Hassan Milani, the head of East Azerbaijan's Art Bureau said, 'Following the inauguration ceremony, the participants visited the Mausoleum of Poets in Tabriz and adorned the tombs with flowers. The closing ceremony will be held in Aras Free Zone.'
Iranian and foreign guests will also be taken on a conducted tour of Tabriz and visit the region's cultural and natural attractions.
A total of 90 articles were submitted to the congress of which 40 were shortlisted and 24 were finally selected and will be published as a collection.
The congress presented 10 topics including 'The Islamic Revolution in Shahriar's Works', 'Shahriar's Role in the Formation and Development of the Sacred Defense Poetry', and 'Manifestation of Knowledge and Virtues of Ahl al-Bayt (Peace Be Upon Them) in the Work of this Iranian Poet'.
Other topics of the congress included; 'An Expression of Religious Identity in Heidar Baba Poetry', 'Reviewing the Religious Roots in Shahriar's Poetry', 'Moral Customs and Islamic Education in Shahriar's Poetry', 'Characteristics of Shia Mysticism in Shahriar's Poetry' and 'The Culture of Ashura in Shahriar's Poetry'.
Ali Akbar Nateq-Nouri, a member of the Expediency Council, deputy minister of culture and Islamic guidance for parliamentary affairs and head of State Arts Bureau are attending the congress as special guests.
Shahriar published his first book of poems in 1929. His poems are mainly influenced by Hafez. The poet's most famous works are 'Heidar Baba', a poem dedicated to his birthplace, the village of Heidar Baba, and 'The Blessed Bird of Good Omen', which is about Imam Ali (PBUH), the first Shia Imam.
Shahriar was the first Iranian Azarbaijani poet to compose significant works in Azari language. He published his first book of poems in 1929. His poetry is mainly influenced by Hafez, a famous Persian poet.
His most famous Azari language poem 'Heidar-Baba' has so far been translated into 90 languages.
September 18 marks death anniversary of the great Iranian poet and is observed in Iran as 'Day of Persian Poetry and Literature'.