This semester I have been trying new events that celebrate cultures I have not learned much about, and tonight I got to hear poetry performed in Farsi!

 

This poetry jam was performed by students of all levels of Farsi classes at OU— beginner and intermediate. Each student had to memorize and recite their poem in Farsi, and then create an accurate translation of the poetic style and recite that. When the recitation was over, the student must explain to the audience what that poem meant to them and what moral they learned from it. There were judges who judge based on recitation, translation, and reflection.

 

I was highly impressed at how good the students sounded when they spoke Farsi. The director explained that the beginners have only spent FOUR month learning Farsi, and to go up in front of an audience and memorize an entire poem in a new language was their biggest challenge! It only made me admire these students more! I really enjoyed most what each student had to say about their given poem. The majority of the poems’ themes were about enjoying life to the fullest, loving the uniqueness of each individual, and opening your mind up. The atmosphere was so welcoming as well. All eyes were on each speaker, and the crowd applauded after every student finished reading their poem and reflecting on it.

 

I am happy I chose to attend this event! At the same time, the Arabic Talent Show was going on, but I have been to those too many times! At this event, I actually felt like I learned more about one’s other culture and I gained an appreciation for a culture and language I’ve never thought or hardly knew about before coming to this event.

 

I plan to see this again next year.

 

Oh did I mention the food was excellent?

 

Rachel