Beijing university honors Hafez, praising Iranian poet’s universal voice

Tehran, IRNA – Beijing’s Peking University has held a ceremony to commemorate Hafez, the revered 14th-century Iranian poet, with Chinese scholars highlighting his global influence and describing his work as a “shared voice of humanity in pursuit of truth, love and beauty.”

Speaking during the ceremony on Saturday, Li Shujing, dean of the School of Foreign Languages at Peking University, said Hafez’s poetry – known for its passionate expression, profound ideas, and romantic imagination – has not only shaped the spirit of the Iranian nation but also inspired people around the world.

“China and Iran, two countries with ancient civilizations, share poetry, emotions, truth, and wisdom,” Li said, adding that the event paid tribute to a literary genius while underscoring dialogue between two longstanding cultures.

Iran’s Ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, who attended the ceremony, pointed to the strong record of cultural interaction between the two nations. He noted that Persian language and literature programs exist in 14 Chinese universities, including nearly seven decades of such studies at Peking University, which he said reflects the depth of cultural ties.