In 1814, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe read a German translation of the poems of Hafez, the 14th-century poet from Shiraz. The encounter inspired one of his major late works: the West-östlicher Divan, published in 1819.

A conversation across centuries

Goethe did not simply imitate Persian poetry. He wrote as if in dialogue with Hafez, taking up themes such as love, wine, travel and wisdom, and reflecting on what East and West could learn from each other. Some poems in the collection were written by Marianne von Willemer and included under Goethe's name.

A symbol that lives on

Today the Divan is a reference point for cultural exchange between Germany and Iran. In Weimar, a monument with two chairs facing each other recalls the two poets, and new bilingual editions keep introducing readers to both.