The restored manuscript of the poetry collection “Divan“ by 14th-century Persian classic Hafez Shirazi, part of the special collection of the Gazi Husrev-bey Library in Sarajevo, was presented on Fridayin Sarajevo.
The extensive restoration and conservation were carried out at the Astan Quds Razavi Library in Mashhad, Iran, in collaboration with and supported by the Cultural Center of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Sarajevo.
At the manuscript’s unveiling, the Director of the Gazi Husrev-bey Library Dzenan Handzic, the Iranian Embassy’s Consul in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Mohammad Hossein Ansari, university professor Munir Drkic, and the Gazi Husrev-bey Library restorer and conservator Rhuluhah Hodzic highlighted the cultural and historical significance of “Divan“, as well as the importance of preserving cultural and historical heritage.
“Divan“ is notable for the beauty of its miniatures, which depict specific scenes from Hafez’s Divan. During the presentation, it was emphasized that among the 10.585 codices in the Gazi Husrev-beyLibrary’s manuscript collection, it is the only one with miniatures of this kind, making it a true masterpiece of our cultural heritage.
The manuscript was transcribed in the 16th century and embarked on its journey, surviving through its BiH centuries. As Hodzic stated, “Life is a return, and movement is destiny.”
“‘Divan‘ is also a testament that the Gazi Husrev-bey Library is far more than a library; it is a centuries-old guardian not only of religious or national but also of world heritage,” he emphasized.
According to Rhuluhah Hodzic, the restoration of ‘Divan‘ is not merely an act of preserving a single book but a testament to the centuries-long connection of our people with world literature and art.
A documentary about the restoration process is being filmed and will be shown on the anniversary of Gazi Husrev-bey Library on January 15th.
Given that “Divan“ is one of the most valuable artistic and cultural assets and a gem of heritage, Sahsena Djulovic from Gazi Husrev-bey Library announced that the original, restored “Divan“, in all its beauty, will be displayed to the public from November 4th to 8th, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The event was attended by the Raisu-l-ulama of the Islamic Community in BiH Husein Effendi Kavazovic, his deputy Enes Effendi Ljevakovic, and the Ambassador of Iran to BiH Abuzar Ebrahimi Torkaman.
The manuscript, as part of Gazi Husrev-bey Library‘s special collection, is listed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, Federalna writes.
E.Dz.
