The eastern German city of Weimar has held its fourth cultural festival West-Eastern Divan Festival in commemorating the 14th century mystic and Persian poet, Hafez.

Iran's Ambassador to Germany Ali-Reza Sheikh Attar, Weimar's Mayor Stefan Wolf and the deputy mayor of Shiraz along with many scholars attended the ceremony held in Weimar as a twin for Iranian city of Shiraz.

An exhibition of Iranian carpet and handicrafts as well as a musical performance were presented at the annual event.

Established in 2008, the West-Eastern Divan Festival is held to expand the cultural relations between the two nations. The festival also includes Goethe and Hafez readings.

The West-Eastern Divan Festival was named after an 1819 collection of poems by Johann Wolfgang Goethe, influenced by the work of the Persian poet, Hafez.


Goethe is considered a key figure in German literature and the Weimar Classicism movement in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Born in 1315, Hafez is best known for his melodious sonnets and for intertwining a taste of Persian culture into his poetry.

His poetry has also inspired many artists and musicians and his verse is recited during national occasions such as the Persian New Year (Norouz).

This year’s West-Eastern Divan Festival was held on October 5.
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