Overview
Saadi and his rose garden “The Golestan”
Saadi Shirazi is one of the most important poets and storytellers of the 13th century. He left an indelible mark on Persian literature with his profound works. Among his many compositions, the Bustan and the Golestan (sometimes transliterated as Gulistan) stand as his most celebrated masterpieces, displaying his mastery of language and profound insights into human nature.
The Golestan of Sa’di is one of the three pillars of Persian literature, alongside Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh and Rumi’s Masnavi. It was completed in 656 AH and is known as Saadi’s intellectual journey across the Middle East and beyond. The journey began in Shiraz, where he diligently pursued his education. Upon completing his studies, he embarked on a series of extensive travels. His accounts of these journeys, woven into his works, paint vivid pictures of diverse cultures and customs. Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to broaden his horizons, Saadi’s travels extended beyond mere exploration. Each journey served as a spiritual odyssey, deepening his understanding of the world and his place within it.
The fruits of Saadi’s travels and intellectual pursuits are manifested in a rich tapestry of stories, anecdotes, and observations rooted in the realities of life. Each tale in the Golestan serves as a window into the human experience, offering timeless lessons in morality, social conduct, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Saadi’s wisdom and wit resonated with the common people, and many of his sayings from the Golestan of Sa’di have become ingrained in Persian folklore and proverbs.
The Golestan’s influence extended beyond Persia’s borders, reaching audiences across the globe. In 1634, the first translation of the Golestan into a European language emerged, with André du Ryer rendering the work into French. Since then, countless translations have been made, bringing Saadi’s timeless wisdom to readers worldwide.
Saadi’s language in Golestan
Golestan of Sa’di is famous for its rhythmic structure. The rhymed prose of Golestan is pleasing to the ear and easy to remember. In Saadi’s hands, the Persian language transforms into a pliable medium, effortlessly molded to convey his profound messages. His masterful use of carefully chosen words and polished phrases not only delivers his intended meaning but also preserves the beauty and harmony of his prose.
Why you should read Golestan?
- Fascinating stories: Golestan of Sa’di isn’t a boring history textbook. It’s packed with engaging fables, funny anecdotes, and poems about love, loss, and the beauty of life.
- A Brain Workout: Reading Golestan isn’t just fun, it’s a mental workout. You’ll encounter thought-provoking proverbs, groan-worthy puns (in a good way), and stories that challenge your assumptions.
- A literary masterpiece: “Golestan of Sa’di” is a classic for a reason. Its elegant prose, engaging stories, and profound insights have captivated readers for centuries. Join the legacy that inspired great minds like Rumi, Goethe, and Emerson!
- Not as hard as you think: “Golestan of Sa’di” is written in a beautiful, accessible style, with short stories and sayings you can easily pick up and read between classes or late-night study sessions. It’s a light and engaging read, promising quick bursts of wisdom.
Step into the Timeless Wisdom of Sa’di’s Golestan
Discover the eloquence and moral depth of Golestan of Sa’di, a masterpiece of Persian prose and poetry that has guided generations with its wit, wisdom, and ethical reflections. This interactive online course, hosted on Joy of Persian, offers an enriching experience for advanced students of Persian literature.
Audience
- Learners who have acquired an intermediate level of Persian and can understand simple conversations in Persian.
- Native Persian speakers who wish to deepen their understanding of Sa’di’s teachings and literary brilliance.
- Individuals who have always desired to engage with Golestan of Sa’di, read and appreciate its moral and philosophical lessons, but have lacked the confidence or resources to do so independently.
- Those interested in exploring Persian ethical and social values through one of its most celebrated literary works.
Benefits
- Timeless Ethical Lessons: Immerse yourself in the moral and social wisdom of Golestan of Sa’di, exploring themes of justice, humility, and the human condition that remain relevant today.
- Authentic Classical Persian: Engage with Sa’di’s refined prose and poetry, enhancing your appreciation of one of the most cherished works in Persian literature.
- Grammar in Literary Context: Strengthen your grasp of classical Persian grammar and stylistic features by examining Sa’di’s masterful use of language in his storytelling and didactic prose.
- Expand Your Literary Vocabulary: Learn and internalize over 420 essential words and expressions from Golestan, improving your comprehension of Persian literary and philosophical texts.
This course will guide you through selected passages from Golestan of Sa’di, providing insights into its historical, linguistic, and literary significance. Through interactive exercises, recitations, and commentary, you will gain a deeper understanding of Sa’di’s world and the enduring legacy of his teachings.
Course Preview
Course Developer
Hamideh Noohpisheh, PhD.
Hamideh brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her role as Course Developer at Joy of Persian. With a Ph.D. in Persian Language and Literature and a proven track record in teaching Farsi at various levels, Dr. Noohpisheh is an expert in creating engaging and effective learning experiences. Her academic achievements, including gold medals in the Iranian Olympiad, showcase her deep understanding of the language. Dr. Noohpisheh’s passion extends beyond the classroom; she has published research on rhetoric, classical Persian texts, and literary geography.
Fluent in Farsi and with proficiency in reading classical Arabic, Dr. Noohpisheh is dedicated to sharing the beauty and richness of Persian language and literature.
Narrated by: Dr. Leila Seyedghasem
👉 Book your class with Leila and discover Golestan of Sa’di.
Instructional Designer: Abolfazl Ahani
Syllabus
Each story (lesson) is divided into manageable sections for ease of learning:
1️⃣Audio & Text Integration: Each lesson begins with synced Persian audio, accompanied by text, and is narrated by our expert instructor to ensure precise pronunciation of this classical work.
2️⃣Reading Guide: Key new words are highlighted throughout the text. In the sidenotes, their synonyms and translations are provided, creating a built-in mini-dictionary for quick and easy reference.
Moreover, related footnotes offer cultural insights, historical context, and explanations of key terms, figures, and Quranic references.
3️⃣Interactive Exercises: Test your knowledge with vocabulary, grammar, sentence building, and more engaging activities.
4️⃣Illustration: Finally, the related narrative appears from an exquisite manuscript of Golestan of Sa’di with animal motifs and portraits of scribe Muhammad Husayn al-Kashmiri and artist Manohara.
5️⃣Printables: Our printable workbooks offer off-screen course review, letting you progress at your own pace.
👉 Step by step, this sequence will lead you to a full comprehension of Golestan of Sa’di 🚀
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So, take a leap of faith! “Golestan of Sa’di” isn’t just a book, it’s an adventure, a wisdom manual, and a reminder that the world is full of captivating stories waiting to be discovered. You might just find yourself surprised by how much you connect with this ancient Persian garden of words. 🌹
Within its pages, Sa’di plants seeds of timeless wisdom—about love and loss, generosity and greed, humility and pride. These stories may be centuries old, but they still speak to our hearts today, reminding us that human struggles and joys are universal.
Each story opens a window into timeless human experiences—love, humility, kindness, wit, and the pursuit of wisdom. With Leila as your guide, you won’t just read the Golestan of Sa’di as a text; you’ll experience it, uncovering lessons that feel just as relevant today as they were centuries ago. 🚀
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