As part of Alef’s cultural programs, the “Exploring Classical Persian Literature: Saadi’s Gulistan” workshop was held in collaboration with Garnet Platform and led by Amir Hassan Cheheltan. The program offered participants an opportunity to revisit one of the most important works of classical Persian literature and engage more closely with Saadi’s world of ideas.
Although Gulistan was written centuries ago, many of its themes still feel relevant today. Ethics, power, love, education, human relationships, and culture are all present throughout Saadi’s stories, which is one reason the work continues to invite new readings and interpretations.
During the workshop, Amir Hassan Cheheltan guided participants through selected parts of Gulistan, focusing on Saadi’s language, the structure of the stories, the ideas embedded in the narratives, and their connection to contemporary human experience.
The course was offered both in person and online, giving literature enthusiasts the opportunity to study and discuss the text in an interactive setting. The aim was not simply to read the stories, but to explore Saadi’s view of people, society, and culture in greater depth.
The Gulistan workshop was part of Alef’s broader cultural programming, created to encourage learning, conversation, and renewed engagement with Iran’s literary and cultural heritage. Despite the historical distance, these works can still raise fresh questions and offer new perspectives on life today
