Neyshabur, a gathering place for Khayyam enthusiasts

Neyshabur, a city located in the Iranian province of Razavi Khorasan, has emerged as a hub for Khayyam enthusiasts.

On May 18 every year, the city hosts a commemorative event to celebrate the birthday of Omar Khayyam, a renowned Persian polymath and poet. 

A variety of events and programs have been organized by the city's cultural officials to celebrate the occasion, attracting people from all over the country. 

To kick off the festivities, a symbolic act titled ‘The Morning Sun of Neyshabur’ took place, with the bell at Khayyam High School ringing at 7:30 am to announce the beginning of the celebration.

The University of Neyshabur hosted a two-day seminar where the latest studies and research on Khayyam were discussed.

In addition, the Kamalolmolk Gallery opened an exhibition featuring verses from Khayyam's poetry, beautifully inscribed by a group of renowned calligraphers.

Aspiring young Persian literature enthusiasts participated in the Chelleh Charaneh Literary Contest held at Khayyam's tomb, reciting quatrains from his magnum opus, the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.

At the Khayyam Planetarium and Museum Complex, a gathering titled ‘The Ordibehesht of Khayyam’ brought together experts to delve into Khayyam's significant contributions to the field of astronomy.

Municipal and cultural officials joined the public in paying their homage to the poet at Khayyam's tomb, where musical and theatrical performances took place.

Literary enthusiasts were invited to a poetry night, scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm at the tomb of Khayyam, providing a platform for the appreciation and recitation of his timeless verses.

Neyshabur Governor, Abutaleb Javan, expressed his pride in hosting Khayyam devotees on this significant day, emphasizing the importance of familiarizing society, particularly the younger generation, with Iran's cultural and historical luminaries to enhance national identity and self-awareness.

Born on May 18, 1048, in Neyshabur, Omar Khayyam gained recognition among English-speaking readers through Edward FitzGerald's translation of his collection of rubaiyat (quatrains), The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (1859). 

MM/AG