Cafe Lit. 46: Persian myths and mythology

Subject: Persian myths and mythology
Presenter: Mehdi Keshtkar
Date: 29 Nov. 2007
This session we have continued with a brief introduction to Persian myths.

Cafe Lit. 45:First contacts of Iran with western culture

Subject: First contacts of Iran with western culture (in 19th century)
Presented by: Dr. Ata Hoodashtian

Date: Thursday 22 Nov. 2007

Cafe Lit. 44: Turko-Persian Tradition

Subject: Turko-Persian Tradition
Date: 15 Nov. 2007
Presented by: Behzad Mostowfi


we will talk about some developments in the history of a distinctive culture that arose, flourished for several hundred years, and then seemed to fade in early modern times as European influences were imposed upon it. Torko-Persian Islamicate culture, as it will be called here, is an ecumenical mix of Arabic, Persian, and Turkic elements that melded in the ninth and tenth centuries in eastern Iran (Greater Khorasan). From there it was carried by conquering peoples to neighboring areas, so that it eventually became the predominant culture of ruling and elite classes of West, Central and South Asia. In this introduction the origins and history of this culture is introduces and its significant influence on on forming the North West Iran is discussed

Cafe Lit. 43: Philosophy of History

Subject: Philosophy of History
Date: 8 Nov. 2007
Presented by : Mehhdi Keshtkar, Mohammad Larijani, Pasha Javadi


We discussed about the Myths, History and what is history.

The definition of myth, the philosophy beyond the myths, the advantages of studying myths and mythology and an introduction on Iranian myths was presented. This was an introductory session for starting our weekly reviewing and introducing myths of different nations. We will start with Iranian myths in coming session and then will continue the job with Greek and Roman myths every week at the beginning of each session. So the myths and mythology will be a serial program of Cafe Literature which will be presented at the beginning of each session.

why we like to read History and reliability of narrations, histories and stories was the other part of this session. Different methodologies for studying and looking at history was presented. Finally the role of narrator and how different parameters can influence the reality and truth in history was introduced from a psychological point of view.