Knox Hall, 509

This talk reflects on the existential dimension of poetry in contemporary Iran through an historical and ethnographic approach. As a counterpoint to narratives that discuss the relevance of the poetic tradition in Iran by focusing on nationalism, identity or the politics of self-expression, this research foregrounds the idea of poetry as an impersonal mode of existence. Through a description of poetic assemblies and conversations with local poets in the city of Shiraz, the talk argues that this poetic modality, seen relationally, unfolds its power by reconfiguring the latent tension between norms and desire.

Setrag Manoukian, Institute of Islamic Studies and Department of Anthropology, McGill University