Culture minister underlines strong support for poetry

Iranian Culture Minister Seyed Mohammad Hosseini underlined his ministry's full support for poetry. According to the Iranian book news agency, Hosseini made the remarks on the sidelines of the 2nd Conference of "Iran and the World Poets", where he stated that poetry receives full support of all sections of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. The culture minister referred to a number of programs held during the last two years for the promotion of Persian poetry as the most productive period in culture ministry's workbook. According to Hosseini, holding Fajr Poetry Festival, Razavi Poetry Festival, and Ritual Poetry festivals as well as backing poetry associations that finally result in the elevation of Persian poets in the international sphere are the most important programs of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Hosseini also emphasized upon revolution poetry, "as the world is not as familiar with the Islamic Revolution Poetry as with the classical Persian poetry." He added that 45 poets from four continents and various countries have been invited to the current round of 'Iran and the World Poets Conference'. Referring to the yesterday ratification of the surveillance committee regarding expurgation of classic works for children, Hosseini asserted that the mentioned expurgation will be applied on books rewritten for children and adult readers and would not mean censorship of classic literature in general as it has never occurred in the history of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. During the 2nd Conference of "Iran and the World Poets", Deputy Culture Minister for Literature and Poetry Yahiya Talebian regarded the main goal of holding the conference as exchange of ideas and experiences between world poets and reaching peace and brotherhood. According to Talebian, the conference will be simultaneously held in Tehran and Shiraz from 8th to 12th October. "43 foreign poets from 30 countries and four continents of the world will attend this conference - including 37 male and 6 female poets," he explained. During these days, poetry reading sessions will be held at the universities of Shahid Beheshti, Tarbiat Modares, Shiraz and Hozeh Honari. The participants will also visit the tombs of eminent classic poets Khajoye Kermani and Hafez and few other cultural monuments. "Quantitatively speaking, more foreign poets are attending the 2nd conference compared with the previous one. And in terms of quality, the poets are from various countries including the US and the UK," Talebian continued. According to him, foreign poets have been chosen according to international awards obtained and the content of their poems, as poets closer to humanistic values, more harmonious with global culture and also closer to Iranian culture were given priority. He finally remarked that poets read their poems in their original language and preferably in English or French and interpreters will be available for a better exchange of ideas.