Persian Poetry: Food for the Soul in a Time of Uncertainty

Politics and poetry may seem like an odd couple. But throughout history, and across cultures, through symbolism and story telling, writers and poets have captured the spirit of their age and shared them with us through time and geography - helping us make sense of human foibles, and the events of our our own world. In Episode 6 of If You were in Charge Sanam takes a different tack in her conversation with Christine Van Ruymbeke, The Soudavar Professor of Persian literature and culture at Cambridge University. It is said that the key to understanding Iran is through poetry, with Iranians often turning to verse to express their hopes and frustrations in everyday life. Familiarity with Persian poetry and the study of its rich, deep history in the West has suffered due to the Western world’s antagonism toward the Iranian regime. Yet these works hold profound cultural significance, particularly through Sufism and its global philosophical resonance. During an uncertain time in the world what wisdom to the poets of the past have for us about how navigate our modern world.  Sanam also speaks with her daughter, Soleh, a PhD student at Cambridge, to reflect on the conversation and the role poetry played in their family life—with a few laughs along the way. So join us to hear about the enduring cultural power of classical poets such as Rumi and Saadi, and how these centuries-old verses continue to resonate with contemporary challenges. The episode also highlights the role of women in literature, showcasing their intellectual force and strategic insight in navigating cultural and social currents. Guest.  Professor Christine van Ruymbeke Head of Middle Eastern Studies at Cambridge University Ali Reza & Mohamed Soudavar Professor of Persian Studies If You Were In Charge is brought to you by the Bjian Ghaisar Foundation And ICAN International Civil Society Action Network You can find out more information or how to get in touch following the link to our homepage -  https://shows.acast.com/if-you-were-in-charge Original Music, Little Monster Media  Executive Producer: Pearse Lynch This is an Africa Digital Audio Production ICAN’s newsletter: https://icanpeacework.org/2025/03/sign-up-to-icans-newsletter/ Chapters 00:00 The Power of Poetry and Literature 05:00 Exploring Persian Literature 10:10 The Significance of Rumi and Saadi 20:13 Lessons from Persian Fables 30:04 Women in Persian Literature and Their Power 37:23 Reviving Literature in Education 42:12 The Importance of Humanities 45:38 Funding and Institutional Support for Literature 47:48 Hope for the Future of Literature 49:23 Connecting Poetry to Society and Governance 58:35 The Role of Literature in Understanding Human Nature ProfessorChristine van Ruymbeke Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices