A former member of the Institute of Iranian studies of the Austrian Academy of Sciences:
The Book Week is effective in the dialogue between cultures
In Austria, most classical poetry has been translated from Persian, but people here are more interested in novels, and it would be more useful to focus on contemporary Iranian novels.
Dr Stephan Popp, a former member of the Institute of Iranian studies of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and a graduate of Iranian and Arab Studies from the University of Bamberg, Germany, in an interview with the news staff of the 30th book week of the Islamic Republic of Iran, explained that Austria has an Institute of Iranian Studies, but the study in the field of Iranology is not conducted there. He added that the director of the institute also occasionally teaches Iranian history at the University of Vienna.
Pointing out that the first translation of the Divan of Hafez in German was published in Vienna, he said: “It was this translation that inspired German national poet Goethe to write his West–östlicher Divan. Given the fact that the language of Austria is German, the German translations of Shahnameh, Saadi, Hafez, Rumi, Khamsa of Nizami, and Attar's The Conference of the Birds have existed and been read in Austria for 250 years.
He said that cultural exchange has not had much impact on the relations between the two countries in the modern era. “Although Persian literature served as a guide for literary intellectuals, especially Austrian literature seekers, it is very difficult to translate Persian poetry into German language, because the German language has few rhyming words,” he added.
“For example, the word "Mensch" (man) has no rhyme. In addition, Persian allusions such as flower and nightingale are foreign to us and should be explained. Also, in German poetry, the song of the nightingale is a sign of the joy of spring and love, etc. The role of literature and especially poetry here does not match the role of literature and poetry in Iran”, he elaborated.
"Most classical poetry has been translated from Persian in Austria, but people here are more interested in novels, and focusing on contemporary Iranian novels will be more useful. Especially novels that can break the stereotype of Iran and show different aspects of life in Iran. For example, a few volumes of women's novels have been translated, which is good, but not enough," Stephan Popp said, referring to the importance of books and literature in cultural diplomacy.
“People here know little about Iran. Anything that shows life in Iran is good, so that people here understand that Iran is a modern country. After this, we can hope that they will also read the works of Hafez and Saadi”, he added.
“Relations between Iran and Austria have a long and good history. Relationships whose history has been formed since the establishment of Dar ul-Funun and continue to exist,” Dr Stephan Popp concluded.
