A journey into traditional Persian poetry and music.

An unmissable event at the National Central Library of Rome

The National Central Library of Rome will host a special event on Wednesday, October 16, 2025, dedicated to Hafez, the supreme Persian poet, a central figure in classical Eastern literature and an enduring voice in Iranian culture. The event, titled "Concert for Hafez," will be held in Room 1 of the Library, located at Via Castro Pretorio 105, starting at 16:45 PM and ending at 18:30 PM.

An afternoon of poetry and music

The event is structured into two complementary parts, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the Persian artistic universe. The day will open with an introduction to Hâfez's poetry by Professor Stefano Pellò, Professor of Persian Language and Literature at Ca' Foscari University of Venice and a leading scholar and expert on classical Persian literature. Professor Pellò, recognized as one of Italy's leading experts on Iranian culture, will guide the audience through the depth and complexity of the work of the poet from Shiraz, the undisputed master of the ghazal, the amorous and mystical poetic form that has captivated generations of readers worldwide.

The afternoon will then culminate in a concert of traditional Persian music that will give voice and melody to Hafez's immortal verses. The musical ensemble, composed of five talented musicians—Mahnaz Atharinejad, Maryam Eftekhari, Ali Kheshtinejad, Hossein Sojoudi, and Mohammad Sarbaz—will perform a refined program that intertwines poetry and music in the great Persian tradition.

The musical program

The proposed repertoire spans various dastgahs and avazs, the musical modes of the Persian classical tradition, each with its own emotional and atmospheric characteristics. The program includes the performance of five tasnifs (vocal compositions) based on Hâfez's verses:

• The cup you bring, cupbearer (âvâz Afshâri) – an invitation to joy and celebration of life, recurring themes in Hafez poetry
• Come, let's scatter the roses (âvâz Dashti) – a song that evokes ephemeral beauty and the need to seize the moment
• Disturbance (âvâz Dashti) – a reflection on the lover's moods, between desire and restlessness
• The Painter of China (dastgâh Shur) – a poetic image that refers to artistic perfection and absolute beauty
• My heart is getting lost (âvâz Bayât-e tork) – the expression of amorous and spiritual confusion

The concert will continue with three instrumental qet'e, wordless pieces that will allow you to appreciate the pure melodic beauty of Persian music:

• I will lose my head (âvâz Bayât-e tork)
• Autumn (dastgâh Shur)
• Shocked ecstasy (âvâz Esfahân)

Hâfez: the poet of love and transcendence

Hâfez (c. 1315–1390), whose name means "he who memorized the Qur'an," is considered one of the greatest poets of all time. His work, collected in the Divan, continues to be read, recited, and sung throughout the Persian-speaking world. His verses explore the themes of earthly and divine love, wine as a symbol of mystical intoxication, beauty, spiritual freedom, and a critique of religious hypocrisy. His poetry is characterized by an extraordinary density of meaning, where each line can be read on multiple levels of interpretation.

Traditional Persian music has always found an inexhaustible source of inspiration in Hâfez's verses. The connection between poetry and music in Iranian culture is profound and ancient: the poet's words and the musicians' melodies merge into a single aesthetic and spiritual experience.

A unique opportunity for the Roman public

This event represents a rare opportunity for the Italian public to experience the richness of Persian culture through two of its finest expressions: the poetry of Hafez and traditional music. The setting of the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale in Rome, a leading cultural institution, underscores the importance of this event, which celebrates the dialogue between cultures and the universal beauty of art.

Admission is open to all lovers of poetry, music, and Eastern culture, as well as anyone who wishes to discover one of the most fascinating voices in world literature.

To participate in this extraordinary event you can book by sending an email to [email protected]Advance booking is strongly recommended, as seating is limited.

Practical information:

Order date: October 16, 2025
Working time: 16:45 – 18:30
Place: National Central Library of Rome, Room 1
Address: Via Castro Pretorio 105, 00161 Rome

An afternoon dedicated to beauty, poetry, and music that will surely leave a mark on the hearts of all participants.