This Cultural organization was born of a larger organization by the name of Poetry Nights of Seattle (PNS). PNS was founded by Dr. Iraj Khademi in 1999 with the assistance of two literature-loving ladies.
Watching the success of PNS in assembling the community in large gatherings, Bijan Elahi, then the Director of the Iranian Community of Seattle, encouraged Iraj to start a workshop devoted to smaller groups with special interest in learning about the rich poetry and music heritage of Iran.
Thus the Persian Poetry and Music Workshop of Seattle was launched in 2000. Now in its 20th year, the PPMWS already has staged over 170 meetings. The lives and creations of more than 55 poets of Iran, starting with legendaries like Ferdowsi, Saadi, Hafez and Molavi, all the way to contemporaries like Bahar, Nima, Akhavan, Forough, Sepehri and Moshiri, have been researched and presented by the workshop’s learned members or visiting experts over these years. Likewise during the same period, the work of a good number of well-known musicians of Iran, both old and modern, have been reviewed and performed by local or visiting performers.
The Persian Poetry and Music Workshop of Seattle is held once a month on Sundays.
At the end of each session, the workshop provides time for socializing and mingling over tea and goodies that’s supplied by the guests.
We invite you to join us in this delightful and culturally rich endeavor.
