The Story of Leyli o Majnun as an Allegory of the Sufi Path of Love in Persian Poetry

The Majnun-Layla legend as told in the Book of Songs by Al-Isfahâni and as evoked in the arabic poems by Qays/Majnun has been spiritualised in Persian literature to the point of becoming the mystic love story par excellence.  It is mentioned by the great masters who spoke about the Sufi path of love in their treatises, evoked by mystic poets such as ‘Attar or Rumi  and developed by narrative poets such as Nezami, Dehlavi or Jami . In this talk, we will focus on Jami’s version, the most overtly spiritual of all. A close analysis of the text in resonance with illustrating miniatures will show how Jami weaves the story in order to show the ascending stages of love and take us “from the forms of beauty to the Creator of all beauty”.

Prof Leili Anvar is a specialist in Persian literature. She is professor of Persian language and literature at INALCO, and a researcher, writer, lecturer and translator. Her publications include:

• Leyli et Majnûn de Jâmi, illustré par les miniatures persanes, traduction en prose poétique, Éditions Diane de Selliers, 2021
• Contes des sages persan, Seuil, 2019 (disponible en version audio)
• Le Cantique des oiseaux de ‘Attâr, traduction en vers, Éditions Diane de Selliers, 2014
• Paroles de Vérité, traduction de l’enseignement spirituel d’Ostad Elahi, Albin Michel, 2017
• Rûmi ou la religion de l’Amour, anthologie de textes, Seuil, 2010
• Rûmî, Entrelacs, 2004, essai sur le poète mystique persan Rûmi suivi d’une anthologie.

Prof Leili Anvar has also broadcasted the radio program Les Racines du Ciel on France Culture and hosted the television program “Islam” on France 2. She also participates in festivals, gives recitals with prestigious musicians and accompanies poetic and spiritual journeys. She has also been featured on TedTalk.

To learn more about her work and news, visit leilianvar.com.