Hafiz of Shiraz - The Great Poet of Love
Lecture / reception - Introduction
11 July 2007, doors 6.30pm, lecture 6.45-7.45pm
Asia House, 63 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 7LP
Peter Avery, OBE, has devoted his life to Persian literature and history. In his talk, he will speak about his love of Persian poetry and the difficulties of translating Hafiz into English.
Organised by
Asia House in association with the Iran Heritage Foundation.
Introduction
Hafiz, often dubbed the 'Shakespeare of Persian Literature,' is arguably one of the greatest poets the world has known. His Collected Lyrics or 'ghazals' are a masterpiece of world literature. Although the message of Hafiz is universal - a poetry of love - it contains many difficulties for the translator. Peter Avery's is the most recent translation of Hafiz's ghazals. The aim of Avery's translation is to give a flavour of the poetry and, in his words, 'to form the basis upon which discerning readers might build some understanding of the poet's philosophy and outlook on life.'
Peter Avery, has devoted his life to Persian literature and history. Having taken a degree at the London School of Oriental and African studies, and after living in Iran and the Middle East until 1957, he became Lecturer in Persian Studies in the University of Cambridge. He is now retired but continues to live in King's College, Cambridge. His works include A Translation of the Ruba'iyat of Omar Khayyam, with poet John Heath-Stubbs, The Speech of the Birds, the Mantiqu't-tair of Faridu'd Din Attar and most recently The Collected Lyrics of Hafiz of Shiraz.
The lecture is followed by a reception.
Tickets
7 GBP, 4 GBP for members of Asia House and Iran Heritage Foundation.
Box office and enquiries
Asia House, 63 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 7LP, Tel: 020 7307 5454, enquiries@asiahouse.co.uk.