"Goethe felt a strong connection to Hafez. In 1819, he published his own 'West-Eastern Divan.' Like Hafez's work, it explores themes of love, human conflict, the transience of life, and spiritual insight."
"'Whoever knows himself and others will recognize here as well: East and West can no longer be separated,' Goethe wrote, advocating for cultural openness and mutual understanding."
"In 2000, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami visited Germany and, together with Germany's then-President Johannes Rau, he unveiled a Hafez-Goethe monument in Weimar."
"Persia became a pawn in the struggle between the British Empire and the Russian Tsarist Empire, known as 'The Great Game,' during the 19th century."
Germany and Iran have a rich historical connection that began with cultural exchanges before formal diplomatic relations were established. German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was inspired by Persian poet Hafez, leading him to create his own work, the "West-Eastern Divan," which emphasizes cultural understanding. The relationship continued into modern times, exemplified by the unveiling of a Hafez-Goethe monument in Weimar. Additionally, Persia's historical role as a pawn in the geopolitical struggles of the British and Russian empires shaped its modern identity.
Read at www.dw.com
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