2037 Poets To Compete In Intˈl Fajr Poetry Festival

Tehran, Feb 4, IRNA – Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini said on Sunday that 2037 poets from Iran and 15 other countries will compete in the 7th International Fajr Poerty Festival which will open on Khark Island on February 5. Addressing a news meeting on the festival, he added that the event would provide an opportunity for Iranian and foreign poets and literati to exchange views. On the selection of the island to host the opening ceremony of the festival, he said that the island had been attacked many times by the enemy during the Sacred Defense era (1980-88) and Islamic fighters defended the territory bravely. The 7th Fajr Poetry Festival will continue for 20 days in the capitals of seven provinces of Qazvin, Kerman, Golestan, Hamedan, Ardebil, Fars and Khorasan Razavi. Some 2037 poets will attend this yearˈs festival, registering a considerable growth compared to 1,451 poets who took part in last yearˈs event, the minister said. Hosseini also added that 27 countries had applied to take part in the upcoming event, of which applications of 15 states were accepted./end