April 14, National Day of Attar of Nishapur: The Great Persian Mystic Poet
On the occasion of the National Day dedicated to Farid al-Din Attar, (April 14) known as Attar of Nishapur, we pay homage to one of the most important mystical poets of Persian literature, whose influence has crossed centuries and geographical boundaries.
Who was Attar of Nishapur
Born around 1145 in Nishapur, in what is now northeastern Iran, Farid al-Din Attar was a poet, theologian and Sufi master whose work is one of the pillars of Islamic spirituality and world literature. His name “Attar” means “perfumer”, a profession he practiced before dedicating himself entirely to the spiritual life.
He died between 1220 and 1230, probably during the Mongol invasion of Genghis Khan, leaving a literary and spiritual legacy of inestimable value.
The immortal work
Among his most famous works is the “Mantiq al-Tayr” (The Word of the Birds), an allegorical poem that narrates the journey of thirty birds in search of the mythical Simorgh, symbol of divinity. Through this search, Attar illustrates the path of the soul towards divine knowledge, facing the valleys of search, love, knowledge, detachment, unity, wonder and finally annihilation.
Other masterpieces include the “Ilahi-nama” (The Divine Book) and the “Tadhkirat al-Awliya” (Memoirs of the Saints), an important collection of biographies of Sufi masters.
Attar's Legacy Today
Today, Attar's works continue to be studied not only as literary expressions of exceptional beauty, but also as sources of spiritual wisdom. His poetry, with its profound exploration of the human soul and relationship with the divine, still speaks to people of different cultures and religions.
Attar's thought has influenced many later poets and philosophers, from Rumi to Hafez, and continues to inspire contemporary artists, musicians and thinkers.
Celebrations and initiatives
On the occasion of the National Day of Attar of Nishapur, numerous cultural initiatives are held in Iran and many other countries. Conferences, poetry readings, exhibitions and concerts of traditional Persian music offer the opportunity to deepen the knowledge of this great spiritual master.
Universities and cultural centers dedicated to Persian studies organize special events to promote the study of Attar's works, translating them into different languages and making them accessible to an ever wider audience.
Famous quote
“The birds of the world set out to find their king, the Simorgh. They knew that the name of their ruler meant thirty birds; there were thirty-one of them, and they marveled that thirty of them could be one.”
This famous quote from the “Mantiq al-Tayr” encapsulates one of the central messages of Attar's philosophy: unity in multiplicity and the recognition that the much sought divinity actually resides in the union of the souls who seek it.