UNESCO celebrates Persian poet Hafez’s legacy with Tajik festival
Festival marks 700 years since Hafez’s birth with poetry, music, and scholarship highlighting his enduring influence
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan (MNTV) — UNESCO and the Republic of Tajikistan jointly launched a cultural and academic program on June 11 to commemorate the 700th anniversary of Hafez Shirazi, one of the most revered poets in Persian literature. The events are taking place at UNESCO headquarters in Paris and will continue through June 14.
The gathering includes an international scientific conference and a dedicated exhibition celebrating the poet’s life and influence across centuries. According to Asia-Plus, high-level representatives from UNESCO member states, diplomats, and scholars from around the world attended the event to reflect on Hafez’s literary, philosophical, and cultural contributions.
Tajik scholars delivered academic papers at the conference, while an exhibition corner curated by the Tajik delegation displayed rare editions of Hafez’s poetry alongside traditional Tajik handicraft.
The Ministry of Culture of Tajikistan coordinated much of the programming, with the country’s Minister of Culture, Matlubahhon Sattoriyon, present at the event.
As part of the cultural celebration, a special “Shashmaqom Evening” featured performances by the renowned state ensemble “Shashmaqom” led by conductor Furqat Saidzoda, along with the “Gulrez” dance ensemble.
The evening also included a collaborative concert with the Paris Eastern Orchestra and vocal performances by Tajik artists Sitora Karomatullo, Shohrukh Yunusov, and Firdavs Hoshimov.
The festival, titled “700 Years with Hafiz”, aims to promote cross-cultural understanding and preserve the shared literary heritage of Persian-speaking societies.
Hafez Shirazi, born in the 14th century, is widely considered a towering figure in Persian literature. His collected work — Divan-e-Hafez — remains a staple in Persian households.
A Sufi poet often referred to as Lisan al-Ghaib (the tongue of the unseen), Hafez wrote verses that continue to inspire spiritual and literary traditions across the Persian-speaking world.
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