Persian poetry at the Art & History Museum
On Saturday, 21 March 2026, as part of World Poetry Day and the Persian New Year, the Art & History Museum celebrates the richness of classical Persian poetry. During this special afternoon, we explore the words and wisdom of great masters such as Ferdowsi, Nizami, Sana’i, and Sa’di. Poetry forms the beating heart of Persian culture and is interwoven with the everyday life of generations of Iranians. Art objects from the 13th to the 19th century, adorned with refined poetic verses, bear witness to this age-old tradition. Their timeless beauty and deep emotional resonance are brought back to life through recitations in Persian, accompanied by Dutch and French translations, and by live music that enhances the poetic atmosphere.
“Whoever wishes to understand poetry must go to the land of poets.”
(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, West–Eastern Divan)
Introduction, connecting texts, and guided tour (in Dutch) by Alexandra Van Puyvelde, art historian and curator responsible for the Art of the Islamic World collections at the Art & History Museum. Brigitte Fossion, historian and guide at the museum, will conduct the tour in French.
Recitations in Persian by Sina Torabi, Persian–French translator and interpreter, and instructor of Social Orientation at the Brussels Agency for the Integration of Newcomers (BON) in Brussels.
Amin Azizi is a musician and composer, specializing in Persian classical music (radif) and Sufi maqams. His instruments are his voice, the tanbur, and the setar.
Programme:
- 14:00 – 14:50
Brief introduction to classical Persian poetry and recitations of poetic verses on objects, accompanied by live music. - 15:00 – 15:45
Guided tour of the Art of the Islamic World galleries, with a focus on objects bearing poetic verses.
Practical information
- Meeting point: reception desk, Art & History Museum
- Price: €20 / €15 (under 19)
- Please note: spoken languages are Dutch and French.