Haleh Liza Gafori

Who brings you to praise? Rumi’s great poem of praise to the “you” is to his great friend Shams, and through that friendship, to God.Rumi was a 13th-century Muslim mystic and poet. He left behind a vast body of lyric poetry, metaphysical writings, lectures, and letters, which have influenced Persian, Urdu, and Turkish literature across the centuries.Haleh Liza Gafori is a translator, vocalist, poet, and educator of Persian descent born in New York City. She has sung and translated the poetry of various Persian poets for well over a decade. She is the translator of GOLD (New York Review of Books / NYRB Classics 2022), translations of poems by Rumi, the 13th-century Muslim mystic and poet. Gafori has taught classes at Dartmouth University, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Taos Poetry Festival, and the Omega Institute.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.We’re pleased to offer Rumi’s poem, and invite you to connect with Poetry Unbound throughout this season.Order your copy of Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World and join us in our vibrant conversational space on Substack.

Translator Haleh Liza Gafori discusses the newly translated text 'Gold - Rumi'. The podcast explores Rumi's influence, themes of love, transcendence, self-doubt, and humility through his poetic language.

Haleh Liza Gafori, a poet, musician, and translator renowned for her contemporary translations of Rumi, dives deep into the mystical world of poetry and its relevance amidst modern crises. She eloquently discusses how Rumi's teachings offer profound healing and escape from anxiety, materialism, and self-repression. Gafori explores the political implications of poetry, urging listeners to embrace joy and challenge societal norms. Recognizing the power of language and art, she advocates for inner transformation as a pathway to social change.