A Hollywood film project and a joint attempt by Iran and Turkey to register the principal works of the poet Rumi with the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list have recently caused political turmoil, above all, in Afghanistan. By Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi
Everybody s darling
A Hollywood film project and a joint attempt by Iran and Turkey to register the principal works of the poet Rumi with the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list have recently caused political turmoil, above all, in Afghanistan. By Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi
What is currently on the minds of Afghans? Of all things, a 13th century poet and Sufi mystic, albeit one of the most famous – Rumi. Even after 800 years, his poems are familiar to many in the Persian-speaking world, namely Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.
The reason for the commotion, which, of course is mainly unfolding on the Internet, is two-fold. For one thing, Hollywood plans to film the life of the esteemed poet. And Leonardo DiCaprio is being considered for the main role, screenwriter David Fanzoni (Oscar winner for Gladiator ) disclosed to the media.