Morteza Heidari Al-Kathir: Anthem Poetry Should Smell of Khuzestan’s Climate

Morteza Heidari Al-Kathir, a Khuzestani poet, speaking to a Mehr news agency correspondent on Wednesday evening on the sidelines of the specialized “From Idea to Sight” meeting, which was held in Ahvaz with the presence of anthem groups from Khuzestan province, emphasized the necessity of choosing appropriate poetry for revolutionary anthems. He stated: “If the content is not right, even the most beautiful form and melody cannot have the necessary impact.”

Praising the title of the program, “From Idea to Sight,” he remarked: “This title embodies an essence of many artistic and cultural concepts and indicates that the path to producing an artistic work, from thought to execution, requires precision and subtlety.”

Al-Kathir, referring to the cultural capacities of Khuzestan province, added: “Khuzestan, with its linguistic diversity and especially the vibrant presence of the Arabic language, can be one of the gateways to the Islamic world. The works of the province’s anthem groups have been re-published in Arab countries in recent recent years and have been influential; this capacity should receive more attention.”

He stressed: “Content, poetry, and melody must possess individuality and carry a scent of Khuzestan’s climate and land to attract the attention of audiences and have a revolutionary impact.”

This Khuzestani poet, referring to the challenges faced by anthem groups in content production, said: “Groups must distance themselves from repetitive similarities and, by progressing through stages, achieve an independent artistic identity.”

Finally, he regarded the “From Idea to Sight” program as an opportunity to elevate the level of anthem groups and added: “These meetings, focusing on the tools for anthem production, from poetry to performance, can fill educational gaps and pave the way for the creation of brilliant works at national and international levels. I hope this path continues, and we witness the brilliance of Khuzestan’s anthem groups in international arenas.”