On the eve of the birth anniversary of Imam Hassan Mojtaba (greetings be upon him), a number of veteran and young poets called on the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Wednesday, September 26.
At the meeting, the poets recited their poems that had been composed in praise of the holy Prophet of Islam and his immaculate household (peace and greetings be upon them) and also the martyrs of the Islamic Revolution and the Sacred Defense. They recited some poems with religious and social themes too.
In an address to the audience, the Leader described the cordial meeting as a symbolic session indicating admiration for poetry and poets. He stated that the art of poetry began its growing and progressive trend in the country following the victory of the Islamic Revolution, and that this auspicious trend is expected to reach a historic zenith in the course of its growth and progression.
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to novel thoughts, news structures, innovative combinations and appropriate use of words as the main features of contemporary poetry in Iran. He also emphasized the need to praise and honor young poets.
"The poems composed by our young poets are indeed more valuable and of a higher standard than certain literary or pseudo-literary works that are indifferent to Islam and the revolution. Therefore, these young poets deserve to be commended, and their works are worthy of compiling and publishing," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic underlined the need for greater attention to criticism in the field of art and poetry. Referring to the fact that criticism will polish and shine poetry and make its positive features more prominent, he added that the publication of poems will prepare a suitable ground for their criticism.
At the beginning of the meeting, the veteran and young poets said their evening and night prayers, which were led by Ayatollah Khamenei. Then, the participants in the meeting broke their fast in the presence of the Leader of the Islamic Republic.