German Cultural Week being marked in Shiraz

Iran is holding the German cultural week in the southern city of Shiraz to commemorate great Iranian poet Hafez and German poet and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. 

The south-central city of Shiraz is holding the German cultural week on the 200th anniversary of publishing the West–Eastern Divan by the German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Organized jointly by the German Embassy in Tehran and the Shiraz Municipality, the ceremony includes programs in cinema, theater, art and literature. Speaking to Press TV, the participants said, cultural exchange is an important part of life in Germany, and a wonderful way to engage people in positive manner.

This year's German Week offers a great lineup of events for people from all walks of life. They are designed to facilitate easier access to German culture and to encourage people to people contacts.

Prominent figures from both Iranian and German art and literary circles are also taking part to discuss the heartfelt links between Hafez and Goethe. 

Goethe’s West–Eastern Divan contains his poems, notes and essays, under the influence of Hafez’s poetry. It was first translated into Persian in 1949.

During the gathering, officials from Iran and Germany are expected to sign several MOUs on art and culture. The program will wrap up on Wednesday, November 6. 

MG