ID :
60101
Tue, 05/12/2009 - 11:18
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/60101
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Iran deserves fascination for "unique role" in global civilisation
A renowned Oxford University professor says Iran deserves “fascination” as it plays a “unique role in the entire history of global civilization and culture”.
Edmund Herzig, professor of Persian Studies in the Wadham College, said he is happy that British ties with Iran have remained “strong, happy and cooperative”.
“We look forward to continuing to work together in the cause of Persian studies and literature,” he told IRNA in a ceremony to commemorate the millenary of Shahnameh—world’s longest poem ever written by a single author.
Professor Herzig added that many prominent British scholars have been eager to do research about the Iranian culture and tradition since the 16th century.
“We started our Persian language and literature course in the 18th century in Wadham College. And we will continue with that tradition in Oxford University, which has benefited from the presence and contributions of a number of prominent Iranian scholars and statesmen in the course of the last century.”
Asked about the status of the Persian literature, Professor Herzig said literary and cultural figures in the West appreciate Hakim Ferdosi as one of the “most appealing Persian poets for western audiences” because of his universalism and tremendous appeal of his language, ideas and values.
“It is fair to say that Ferdosi was the first world-renowned poet of new Persian literature. Shahnameh which took about 30 years of Ferdosi’s time was not an imagination but a compilation of tradition and history.”
Herzig said Ferdosi’s Shahnameh is a recording of the historical traditions of Iran, which following the Islamic conquest, have been in danger of being lost or disappearing.
“Shahnameh was both a literary and scholarly work and a recording of the national history. The Book of Kings contains a great deal which is familiar to westerners.”
“For example, Rostam is a great hero of Shahnameh and also the Persian popular culture who has been celebrated not only in painted manuscripts produced in royal courts but in tea houses, villages and other popular places all over Iran.”
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Edmund Herzig, professor of Persian Studies in the Wadham College, said he is happy that British ties with Iran have remained “strong, happy and cooperative”.
“We look forward to continuing to work together in the cause of Persian studies and literature,” he told IRNA in a ceremony to commemorate the millenary of Shahnameh—world’s longest poem ever written by a single author.
Professor Herzig added that many prominent British scholars have been eager to do research about the Iranian culture and tradition since the 16th century.
“We started our Persian language and literature course in the 18th century in Wadham College. And we will continue with that tradition in Oxford University, which has benefited from the presence and contributions of a number of prominent Iranian scholars and statesmen in the course of the last century.”
Asked about the status of the Persian literature, Professor Herzig said literary and cultural figures in the West appreciate Hakim Ferdosi as one of the “most appealing Persian poets for western audiences” because of his universalism and tremendous appeal of his language, ideas and values.
“It is fair to say that Ferdosi was the first world-renowned poet of new Persian literature. Shahnameh which took about 30 years of Ferdosi’s time was not an imagination but a compilation of tradition and history.”
Herzig said Ferdosi’s Shahnameh is a recording of the historical traditions of Iran, which following the Islamic conquest, have been in danger of being lost or disappearing.
“Shahnameh was both a literary and scholarly work and a recording of the national history. The Book of Kings contains a great deal which is familiar to westerners.”
“For example, Rostam is a great hero of Shahnameh and also the Persian popular culture who has been celebrated not only in painted manuscripts produced in royal courts but in tea houses, villages and other popular places all over Iran.”
End
