Panel Discussion | Text & Culture: Preserving Tangible & Intangible Persian Cultural Heritage
Text & Culture: Preserving Tangible & Intangible Persian Cultural Heritage
A Free Panel Discussion at the University of Melbourne
The Persian manuscript tradition has continued for centuries through the great authors Firdausi, Omar Khayyam, ‘Attar, Maulana Jalal al-Din Rumi, Sa’di, Hafiz and Jami. These writings of universal themes transcend time and place and through this engage modern audiences as they did during their authors’ lifetimes. Preservation of the physical texts allows us to engage with the material and explore a people’s cultural identity. Upon further examination of the material components contained within the manuscripts we can uncover clues about the community in which the manuscripts once sat and better understand their cultural practice. Through greater understanding and conversations like this panel, our cultural understanding can deepen and provide opportunities for engagement with the wider community.
Dr Mammad Aidani teaches and conducts research at SHAPS, The University of Melbourne. His teaching and research interests are in the genres of Textual interpretations (hermeneutics) and lived narratives in the areas of displacement, memory as well as literature, theatre and creative writing. He has worked extensively with local community groups on identity, belonging and the role of creative writing and storytelling.
Sophie Lewincamp teaches paper conservation at CCMC, The University of Melbourne. She is currently conducting historical and scientific analysis of the Middle Eastern Manuscripts Collection, Baillieu Library.
Susan Scollay is an art historian and curator specialising in the Islamic world. She is guest co-curator of the exhibition Love and Devotion: From Persia and Beyond, a project that developed from her ongoing doctoral research at La Trobe University, and editor of the exhibition publication.
Date: Wednesday, 20 June | 6:00pm
Venue: Theatre C, Old Arts Building, The University of Melbourne.
Bookings and enquiries online here.
