Attar traveled the seven cities of love, while I’m still at the bend of the first alley. -Rumi
Everything, large and small, honors your existence. Don’t look at yourself with contempt. There is nothing greater than you.
— Attar
Born in 1145, Persian Sufi mystic poet Attar is one of the most celebrated figures in Sufi literature, revered for his profound exploration of spirituality and human emotion. His poetry, a luminous reimagining of the mystical path, weaves together themes of divine love, self-discovery, and the connection between the earthly and the transcendent. Attar’s verses are not mere words—they are a mirror to the soul, inviting readers to awaken from the illusion of self and step into the fire of spiritual transformation. His influence shaped iconic poets like Rumi, who called him a master of wisdom and mysticism.
Sholeh Wolpé is an Iranian-born poet, writer, playwright, and librettist. She has studied Attar’s work for over a decade
On the Broad Stage
Watch Sholeh Wolpé speak about the story of The Conference of the Birds in context of the opera about to be performed.Resonance Collective.
