Rekindling Fires of Lost Wordsmiths Beyond Hafez and Saadi

Date: 23 September 2025 - 22:11

News ID: ۱۴۳۸۵۷

TEHRAN -- Shiraz, the fabled cradle of Persian literature, a city eternally bound to the names of Hafez and Saadi, is much more than a mausoleum for these towering figures.
Beneath the weight of their monumental legacies lies a constellation of lesser-known poets—wordsmiths whose verses have shaped, softened, and sustained the cultural fabric of Iran’s literary capital but remain curiously absent from its collective memory.
In the bustling heart of Shiraz, where the scent of orange blossoms mingles with the dusty pages of poetry, the city’s literary pulse continues to beat—not only through the immortal couplets of Hafez’s ghazals or Saadi’s timeless wisdom, but also through the work of scores of gifted poets whose names rarely cross the lips of everyday Iranians. As recent efforts to honor these figures suggest, the city’s poetic heritage is far richer, and more complex, than the canon of two greats might imply.
A large mural installed in Imam Hussein Square, unveiled on the occasion of Persian Literature and Poetry Day, offers a striking visual testament to this overlooked legacy. Modeled as an Eastern homage to Raphael’s Renaissance masterpiece The School of Athens, the mural reimagines a gathering of Shiraz’s literary greats: alongside Hafez and Saadi, figures such as Jahan-Malek Khatun, Baba Faghani, Orfi Shirazi, and Shah Da’i-Allah occupy the space. It is a vibrant, poetic conclave—a call to remember those whose voices have been silenced by time.
Yet the challenges of preservation and recognition run deeper than a single mural. Muhammad Moradi, a Persian literature professor at Shiraz University, emphasizes the urgency of not only naming these poets but also reintroducing their works to the public consciousness.
“These poets and writers form an inseparable part of Iran’s historical and civilizational identity,” he told IRNA.
Moradi advocates for creative revitalizations—through art, theater, and new literary forms—to ensure these voices are not mere footnotes in cultural textbooks but active contributors to modern Iranian identity.
This vision is shared by literary historian Gholamreza Khosh-Eghbal, who laments the underutilization of modern digital platforms to showcase Shiraz’s extensive poetic heritage. Khosh-Eghbal enumerates a roll call of neglected masters—Pour-Fereydoun, Ruh-e Attar, Mansour Shirazi, Maktabi Shirazi, to name but a few—poets whose influence resonates with the historical grandeur of the region but whose names remain obscure to many.
Such neglect, critics argue, does a disservice not only to Shiraz but to Iranian culture at large. Poetry here is not a static relic; it is a living, breathing force, a means of imparting hope, ethical values, and cultural pride. By neglecting the broader tapestry of Shiraz’s poets, society forfeits a vital source of spiritual and intellectual nourishment.
Mehdi Famouri, a literary researcher at Yasuj University, highlights the absence of recognition for certain figures whose contributions are no less important than those of Saadi and Hafez. He notes, for example, the omission of Homa Shirazi—whom he regards as one of the finest poets of the Qajar era—and Daavari Shirazi, whose works stand among the crowning achievements of 19th-century Persian poetry.
Famouri advocates for a simple but powerful intervention: select verses from these poets be reimagined in artistic forms that resonate with today’s audiences. “Just a single line or couplet, transformed through visual art or performance, can reconnect people with their heritage in a meaningful way.”
The need for more immersive and authentic engagement extends beyond Shiraz’s borders. Saeed Hesampour, head of the Hafez Studies Center, underscores how poetry and intellectual heritage shape national identity and social cohesion. But he also warns that mere name-dropping is insufficient.
“These figures must be presented with context, with engaging narratives about their work and worldview, so that the public can grasp their relevance.”
Hesampour points to a troubling paradox: despite Shiraz’s rich cultural capital, many public spaces—street signs, shop names, public buildings—fail to reflect the city’s literary identity. This disconnect diminishes the city’s cultural atmosphere and weakens its symbolic power.
The larger implication, articulated by Moradi, Famouri, and Hesampour alike, is that poetry and literature do far more than decorate national history—they cultivate emotional resilience, ethical reflection, and social harmony. Persian poetry, with its deep roots in mysticism and philosophy, has long provided a balm for the soul and a beacon for the mind.
“Literature is an inward mirror of moral and spiritual values,” Moradi reflects. “It fosters calm and joy and, in today’s fractured world, it offers a vital source of equilibrium.”
Famouri adds that poetry is a source of vitality and hope. “It illuminates the path of life, giving meaning and inspiration. For me, and many others, it is a refuge in turbulent times.”