Shiraz Gears Up as Cultural Capital for Hafez Week

Date: 08 October 2025 - 21:10

News ID: ۱۴۴۴۲۲

TEHRAN -- The rich, evocative voice of Hafez of Shiraz—the beloved Persian lyric poet whose words have transcended centuries and borders—will once again echo through the halls of culture and academia as Iran launches the annual Hafez Memorial Day.
From October 10 to 17, this week-long cultural festival will unfold across Shiraz, the poet’s birthplace, and resonate nationwide as well as in Iranian cultural centers abroad.
The announcement was made with grandeur at a ceremony in Tehran, where Mahmoud Shalouei, president of the Iranian Association of Cultural Heritage and Eminent Figures, emphasized Hafez’s exalted position in Persian and global literary history.
“Hafez is not merely the embodiment of Persian poetic beauty and philosophy,” Shalouei proclaimed, “he is a spiritual heritage shared by all humanity.”
His ghazals, steeped in themes of love, truth, and divine knowledge, continue to inspire diverse audiences, weaving a universal tapestry of meaning across cultures.
This year marks the continuation of a significant cultural shift, from a single “Day of Hafez” to a full week dedicated to honoring his legacy—allowing deeper engagement with his enduring work.
The festival’s program is rich and varied: theatrical performances including an operatic puppet show directed by renowned artist Behrouz Gharibpour, live renditions of Lesan al-Ghayb (The Tongue of the Unseen) at Hafez’s mausoleum, scientific workshops hosted by leading scholars of Persian literature, and exhibitions of calligraphy and miniature painting inspired by the poet’s verses.
Governor Hussein Ali Amiri of Fars Province, where Shiraz stands as a cultural crossroads of ancient Persian empires, underscored the vital role of Iran’s great cultural figures as role models for contemporary and future generations.
“The lives of our eminent figures, from Hafez to Saadi and Khajoo, offer a wellspring of wisdom and inspiration,” Amiri said. “This festival not only celebrates history but fosters a renewed cultural identity rooted in both Iranian heritage and Islamic tradition.”
The week’s celebrations will also extend beyond Iran’s borders through activities at Iranian cultural centers worldwide, strengthening global appreciation for Hafez’s profound poetic vision.