Turks will soon better understand attar's ‘Conference of the Birds'

Well-known Persian Islamic scholar and poet Farid ud-Din, also called Attar of Nishapur's masterwork "Mantiq ut-Tayr" (The Conference of the Birds) has been re-translated into Turkish by Cemal Aydın.


"The Conference of the Birds" is a globally respected and loved literary source. The book has been translated into many languages including English, German and French.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) about the re-translation of Attar's work, Aydın said the previous translations were not satisfactory. "We reviewed all the available translations of 'Mantiq ut-Tayr.' Attar of Nishapur is a literary giant. If you look at the original version of "Mantiq ut-Tayr" in Persian, you will see that it is a very short piece, but each verse has many subtexts. In order to provide a proper translation of the work, one should be a Turkish language expert and study the work in detail," Aydın said. He added that he read all the previous Turkish translations of the work. "There are various references and metaphors in literature, so it would be impossible to understand literary forms, metaphors and artistic touches, and details if these references are not properly delivered to the reader." To inform the reader in the best way possible, Aydın included nearly 550 footnotes in the new translation. Apart from the original text, Aydın made use of the French and Arabic translations of "Mantiq ut-Tayr" to present the best Turkish translation to the reader. "I learned Persian from Professor Ali Murad Daryal, so I can say that I am very fluent. But the master work of 'Mantiq ut-Tayr' also has four different translations in French. These translations also feature various footnotes and explanations that helped me a great deal during my own translation," Aydın said. He also addressed why "Mantiq ut-Tayr" is very popular in France. "Roger Garaudy - French philosopher and a prominent communist author - refers to the masterwork of Attar in his books. Apart from French translations, the book was also adapted for the stage twice," he said.

Aydın also stressed that the hearts of those who read the text will be wide open. "Attar was a Sufi thinker and writer who grew up with similar cultural heritage to the Turks. If he can touch the minds and hearts of Westerners, Attar will surely touch the hearts of those in Turkey and help them see the world with new perspective," Aydın said. He added that there is a spiritual link between Sufism and poets, and the poems written with the love of God give a different taste to the reader. Poems written without the love of God cannot be considered literary works and do not deliver much to the reader, Aydın claims. "These works are nothing but rude, materialist and temporary poems. The same thing applies not only in the East but also in the West. Artists who make the reader feel the presence of God create mystical and spiritual works in literature, music and poetry," Aydın said.

Attar is an important poet and thinker in Islamic literature. Jalal al-Din Rumi praised Attar: "He traveled to seven cities of love, yet we are only at the entrance of a narrow street." Regarding "Mantiq ut-Tayr," Rumi added: "I know how to say words from Attar. Friend, whatever I am saying, I heard from Attar." Other prominent poets also praised Attar and his works. Another Persian poet, Mahmoud Shabestari, the author of "Gulshan-i Raz" (The Secret Rose Garden), said: "No other poet like Attar has come to these lands, not even in 100 years," while Turkish poet Sheik Galip said he took his inspiration from Attar before writing "Hüsn-ü Aşk" (Beauty and Love).

It is said that Attar read nearly 1,000 written works by Islamic scholars before he sat and wrote "Mantiq ut-Tayr." He blended his Sufi knowledge and background with his talents for poetry, breaking new ground in Sufi literature. His works, which have been translated into many languages, speak to humanity with their originality and striking depictions. As Aydın said: " 'Mantiq ut-Tayr' is also a reference book for the world's intellectuals along with psychologists and psychiatrists who want to understand the human spirit and character.

The Turkish translation of "Mantiq ut-Tayr " is published by the Türk Edebiyatı Vakfı (Turkish Literature Foundation).