Ahmad Shamlu

Culture of origin: Iranian · Cultural

Holiday sources: Iran

Ahmad Shamlu (1925–2000), who also wrote as A. Bamdad, was arguably the most influential poet of modern Iran and, after Nima, a pioneer of modern Persian poetry. He was jailed after the 1953 coup, and the Islamic Republic, which branded him a traitor, kept his works from being published for many years. His multi-volume Book of Alley records Iranian folklore and everyday speech. He died at his home in Karaj in July 2000, and thousands attended his funeral.