The two-day Shams and Rumi Seminar opened in Khoy on Monday with a group of Iranian and foreign scholars and officials attending.
Mevlana Museum Deputy Director Naci Bakirci, also among the participants, gave a short address at the opening ceremony and remarked that precious Iranian artifacts in Konya indicate the ancient cultural ties between the two countries.
Naci Bakirci pointed to the cultural and religious commonalities of the two states and stated that priceless artworks from ancient Iran are kept at the Mevlana Museum.
He further expressed his appreciation to the organizers of the seminar and added that such programs help enhance bilateral cooperation.
The seminar was organized to strengthen the ties between the two cities of Khoy (where Shams’ tomb is located) in Iran and Konya (where Rumi’s tomb is located) in Turkey.
A live music performance by local musician Ashiq Moharram Ali was also arranged.
Master vocalist of Persian classical music Shahram Nazeri also gave a two-night performance.
Experts on Rumi and Shams also delivered lectures on Shams and Molana and their spiritual relationship, cultural ties of the two countries, and the necessity of knowing Iranian and Islamic mysticism.
In addition, scholar Mohammad Amin Riahi was honored during the program for his lifetime of scholarship on Shams and also for his articles about the tomb of Shams in Khoy.
Born in the city of Tabriz, Shams lived together with Rumi in Konya for several years. Shams was immortalized in Rumi’s collection of poetry named the “Divan of Shams ad-Din of Tabriz”.
Rumi’s love for him and his bereavement over his death found expression in an outpouring of music, dance, and lyrical poetry.
The tomb of Shams, located in Khoy, is in the form of a 12-meter high cylindrical tower. The monument was erected by Shah Esmaeil in the Safavid era.
RM/YAW
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MNA
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