Spektrum Iran

Hafez and Goethe: Preachers of World Cult

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

Ahmadali Heydari 1
Ali Asisian 2

1 Associate Professor at the Philosophy Department of Allameh Tabatabai University. Studied philosophy, oriental studies and religion (Tehran and Bonn), Iran and Germany

2 Asisian, Ali (PhD) is a translator and independent researcher in philosophy and literature,, Iran, Tehran

https://doi.org/10.22034/spektrum.2023.184283
Abstract
Many efforts have been made for closeness, reconciliation and understanding between Eastern and Western cultures. But in modern times, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is perhaps the first person to take a major step in this direction, opening a warm embrace of friendship to the East. Goethe’s particular interpretation of Hafez can be a major pivot for a deep intercultural dialogue between the East and the West. Goethe took an important step in moving the West towards this common culture. Goethe's interpretation of Hafez paved the way to this common world culture in the East as well. Perhaps this common culture can be called a „global culture”. This global culture must have two important elements, one from the West and one from the East. It is evident that this culture must be the result and combination of both culture types. „Individuality” (fardiyyat) and „unity of being” (vahdat-e wojoud) are these two elements, which don’t seem to get straight to the point. It seems that Goethe’s interpretation of Hafez is not an interpretation far removed from Hafez’s meanings and intentions, and is deeply correlated with ancient Iranian wisdom.

Keywords

Hafez
Goethe
World Culture
Individuality
Unity of Being. 
Subjects
Hafiz der modernen Zeit, Übersetzung ins Deutsche von Vincenz Ritter von Rosenzweig-Schwanauu, herausgegeben, zusammengestellt und bearbeitet von Radjaie, Ali; basierend auf der Version Allame Ghazwini und Ghani, Mehr-e Katibeh Verlag, Araak 2014.
Goethe Johann Wolfgang, West-östlicher Divan, Herausgegeben und mit Erläuterungen versehen von Hans-J. Weitz Insel, Ulm, 1974.
Heidegger Martin, Sein und Zeit, Max Niemayer Verlag, Tübingen 1953.
West-östlicher Divan, Goethe Johann Wolfgang, Übersetzung ins Persiche von Haddadi Mahmoud, Parse Verlag, Teheran 2013.
 
Spektrum Iran
Volume 36, Issue 1
July 2023
Pages 55-64

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