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Up To Date

Persian Poetry Brings The Past To The Present

National Library of France

It's been 800 years, but the words of Rumi, a 13th century Persian poet, still seem to entrance people

In the second part of Wednesday's Up to Date, Steve Kraske speaks with Rumi scholar Coleman Barks about the poet's legacy and why his verses continue to thrive.

Guest:

  • Coleman Barks is a scholar and translator of Rumi's work. He is the author of numerous Rumi translations, as well as his own original poetry, and has been a student of Sufism since 1977. His work with Rumi was the subject of an hour-long segment in Bill Moyers's Language of Life series on PBS, and he is a featured poet and translator in Bill Moyers's poetry special, "Fooling with Words."

HEAR MORE: Coleman Barks and cellist David Darling will perform Rumi's poetry a 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at Unity Temple on the Plaza. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Click here for more information.

 

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When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.