Fifth National ‘Poetry of Expectation’ Festival to be Held in Arak

Askar Akbari, in an interview with an IRNA correspondent in Arak, stated: The scientific, cultural, and artistic festival of Imamate and Mahdism is a spiritual event that has been held annually since 2021 in units of Islamic Azad University across the country, inspired by the ‘Document of Transformation and Excellence of Islamic Azad University’.

He, referring to the goals of holding this festival, said: This event is designed to create a platform for scientific, cultural, and artistic growth with a focus on the culture of Imamate and Mahdism, and this year, Markazi province is hosting the ‘Poetry of Expectation’ section of this national festival, which will be held with a focus on letter 31 of Nahj al-Balagha.

Akbari stated that the main themes of this year’s festival include topics such as praising and eulogizing Imam Vali-e-Asr (AS), awaiting the reappearance and preparation for the advent, deputyship and guardianship, the role of Imam Mahdi (AS) in a Mahdavi society, and also poetic inspiration from the ethical and educational teachings of letter 31 of Nahj al-Balagha.

According to him, these themes are presented in various literary forms; including in the classical poetry section, forms such as ghazal, mathnawi, qasida, rubai, do-bayti, and charpareh, and in the new poetry section in Nimai, free verse, and blank verse forms. Also, a section for song and colloquial poetry has been considered for expressing Mahdavi themes in contemporary language and literature.

The official of the provincial secretariat for the National Scientific, Cultural, and Artistic Festival of Imamate and Mahdism (Poetry of Expectation) noted: The ‘Poetry of Expectation’ festival begins every year in early Khordad and continues until Mid-Sha’ban. This year, the deadline for submitting works has been set until the eighteenth of Dey. Those interested can submit their works through the website of the Imamate and Mahdism Institute. He asked poets not to postpone their submissions until the final days so that the judging process can be carried out accurately and on time.

Akbari concluded by inviting poets, students, professors, and artists, saying: All interested individuals are invited to participate in this cultural and spiritual movement by submitting their works to the Imamate and Mahdism festival via the website jashnvareh.emamat.iau.ir.

He expressed hope that the fifth edition of the ‘Poetry of Expectation’ festival, like previous editions, will lead to the creation of lasting and influential works in the field of the country’s devotional literature.