Kashan, a destination for lovers of literature, art and nature
The town of Qamsar, Kashan
apochi.com
The enchanting natural landscapes of Kashan, a city in Isfahan Province, along with its rich artistic and literary heritage, have yet to be fully appreciated, said a tourism expert.
Akbar Rezvanian added that Sohrab Sepehri, renowned for his poetic celebration of nature, deserves the title of the “Green Poet,” while Kashan itself can be rightfully recognized as a cultural haven for tourists seeking both artistic and literary experiences.
“Tourism and Green Investment,” he said, “was the overarching theme for World Tourism Day of 2023 (Sept. 27).”
He continued that ecotourism encompasses all aspects derived from the natural world: verdant landscapes, majestic mountains, dense forests, vast plains, arid deserts, meandering rivers, and expansive seas readily come to mind.
“Integrating travel and exploration into this equation, it is imperative that we strive to foster and endorse tourism while concurrently safeguarding the integrity of our natural surroundings and the environment at large. This principle embodies the essence of sustainable tourism and ecotourism,” he said.
Rezvanian noted that Kashan is comprised of three climatic zones: Mountains, foothills, and desert. Whenever Kashan is mentioned, only the historic fabric, ancient houses, Fin Garden, and handwoven carpets come to people’s mind, all of which are very beautiful, important, and valuable. However, the pristine and beautiful nature of Kashan remains unknown and can showcase itself alongside the history and culture of this region, becoming a tourist attraction and a destination for art-lovers, writers, and nature enthusiasts.
“Literary and artistic tourism can have a special place in Kashan, and its hallmark is Sohrab Sepehri. The content of all of Sohrab’s poems and paintings are derived from nature but, unfortunately, we have not worked on introducing Kashan as a destination for literary, artistic, and green tourism.”
“Sohrab Sepehri’s paintings command a noteworthy price in Iran, being highly regarded in the realm of art. Furthermore, his poems exhibit a distinct and universally appealing style of language. However, it is worth noting that we have not yet delved into his introduction of Kashan as his birthplace,” he added.
Born in 1928, Sohrab Sepehri is recognized as a pivotal figure in contemporary literature and art, renowned for his nickname as “The Poet of Nature”. His childhood and teenage years were spent in Kashan, where he embarked upon a profound journey of knowledge and artistic exploration. In the subsequent decade, Sohrab indulged in voyages of discovery and travel in nature, while in his fourth decade, he immersed himself in extensive sojourns. It was during this period that he made repeated visits to Japan, France, Italy, India, and America, alongside numerous other nations spanning the East and the West.