Honouring Tajik poetry in Berlin

On the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan and in cooperation with the Berlin Cultural Foundation, a cultural event entitled "The Scent of the Muliyan Stream. From Zoroaster to Modernity" was held at the diplomatic mission with the participation of writers, orientalists and lovers of the Tajik language and culture.

The conference was opened by the Ambassador of Tajikistan to Germany, Imomudin Sattorov, who in his speech noted the initiatives of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, in the field of culture and national values. The Ambassador also stated that the adoption of the Laws of the Republic of Tajikistan "On Culture" and "On State Language", the declaration of Navruz as an international holiday, the celebration of "Falak Day", "Mehrgon", "the Day of Book" and other high-profile events are proof of the Government of Tajikistan's constant efforts to develop national culture.

Renowned German Orientalist Professor Udo Steinbach, who headed the German Institute of Oriental Studies for many years (1976-2006), delivered an informative speech on the role and status of Tajik poetry from the time of Rudaki to the present day. Professor Steinbach also proudly mentioned the publication in 2021 of a book of translations of poems by contemporary Tajik and Persian poets, "Persian Lyrics in the 21st Century".

The audience was then presented with the examples of Tajik-Persian classics and poetry by Bozor Sabir, Askar Hakim, Gulrukhsor, Iskandari Khatloni, Nizam Qasim, Rustami Ajami and Farzona Khujandi, read in German by Professor Udo Steinbach and the famous translator Kurt Scharf, and in Tajik-Persian by translator Ali Abdullahi, artist Muhayo Tahiri and poet Firdavsi Azam. At the end of the evening, the young poet Firdavsi Azam presented his work to the guests.

Ali Abdullahi, who was impressed by the cultural event, emphasised that such events help to properly present the distinctive, creative and cultural face of the Tajik nation in Germany. Muhayo Tahiri, who read poetry by poetesses, said the conference was attractive in that it reached both Persian- and German-speaking audiences at the same time.

At the end of the evening of poetry, guests were treated to dishes of Tajik cuisine.