Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Seminar Series: Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila In brief Speaker - Professor Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila (University of Edinburgh) Title - Narratives from the dark age: Persian tales from early Islamic times Abstract by Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila As numerous pseudepigraphs and misunderstandings mar the biographical and bibliographical sources, the existence of Persian tales from the period has to be corroborated by evidence found elsewhere. As literary and historical aspects are intertwined in tales, both literary and historical sources have to be taken into account. In this talk, I will discuss Persian tales firmly documented from the ninth and early tenth centuries and their similarities with The Thousand and One Nights, the core of which was translated from the Hazār afsāne, giving special attention to the story of Balāsh and the Indian Princess. About the speaker Professor Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila earned his PhD from the University of Helsinki in Finland in 1994. Before coming to Edinburgh in June 2016, he worked as a Senior Researcher of the Finnish Academy 1997-2000 and Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Helsinki 2000-2016. He is the author of numerous monographs and articles. His latest monographs include Al-Maqrīzī’s al-Ḫabar ʿan al-bašar (Vol. V, section 4) Persia and Its Kings (2022), Portrait of an Eight-Century Gentleman. Khālid ibn Ṣafwān (d. 135/752) in History and Literature (2020), Al-Maqrīzī’s al-Ḫabar ʿan al-bašar (Vol. V, section 4) Persia and Its Kings, Part I. (2018), and Khwadāynāmag (2018) The Middle Persian Book of Kings. About the seminar series Each semester, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) welcomes a fantastic range of guest speakers, PhD students and colleagues from across the University to present an evening seminar on their research. In the spring semester of the 2022 to 2023 academic year, the overall theme is 'Persian Narratives'. Topics include Persian, Iranian, and Arabic folklore, literature, poetry, traditions, and political structures. All seminars will be followed by a Q&A and wine reception. How to join Events are free and everyone is welcome. No booking is required for this seminar. Are you interested in studying with us? We are the only university in Scotland to offer courses in the Muslim world's three main languages, placing Arabic, Persian and Turkish in the context of history, literature, culture, religion and politics, past and present. Choose from a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including PhD programmes. Find out more about Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at Edinburgh Jan 16 2023 17.15 - 18.15 Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Seminar Series: Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila Join us in person for a seminar by Professor Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila (University of Edinburgh) on Persian tales from the ninth and early tenth centuries and their similarities with The Thousand and One Nights. Project Room 1.06 50 George Square EH8 9LH Edinburgh Find the venue: 50 George Square
Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Seminar Series: Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila In brief Speaker - Professor Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila (University of Edinburgh) Title - Narratives from the dark age: Persian tales from early Islamic times Abstract by Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila As numerous pseudepigraphs and misunderstandings mar the biographical and bibliographical sources, the existence of Persian tales from the period has to be corroborated by evidence found elsewhere. As literary and historical aspects are intertwined in tales, both literary and historical sources have to be taken into account. In this talk, I will discuss Persian tales firmly documented from the ninth and early tenth centuries and their similarities with The Thousand and One Nights, the core of which was translated from the Hazār afsāne, giving special attention to the story of Balāsh and the Indian Princess. About the speaker Professor Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila earned his PhD from the University of Helsinki in Finland in 1994. Before coming to Edinburgh in June 2016, he worked as a Senior Researcher of the Finnish Academy 1997-2000 and Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Helsinki 2000-2016. He is the author of numerous monographs and articles. His latest monographs include Al-Maqrīzī’s al-Ḫabar ʿan al-bašar (Vol. V, section 4) Persia and Its Kings (2022), Portrait of an Eight-Century Gentleman. Khālid ibn Ṣafwān (d. 135/752) in History and Literature (2020), Al-Maqrīzī’s al-Ḫabar ʿan al-bašar (Vol. V, section 4) Persia and Its Kings, Part I. (2018), and Khwadāynāmag (2018) The Middle Persian Book of Kings. About the seminar series Each semester, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) welcomes a fantastic range of guest speakers, PhD students and colleagues from across the University to present an evening seminar on their research. In the spring semester of the 2022 to 2023 academic year, the overall theme is 'Persian Narratives'. Topics include Persian, Iranian, and Arabic folklore, literature, poetry, traditions, and political structures. All seminars will be followed by a Q&A and wine reception. How to join Events are free and everyone is welcome. No booking is required for this seminar. Are you interested in studying with us? We are the only university in Scotland to offer courses in the Muslim world's three main languages, placing Arabic, Persian and Turkish in the context of history, literature, culture, religion and politics, past and present. Choose from a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including PhD programmes. Find out more about Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at Edinburgh Jan 16 2023 17.15 - 18.15 Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Seminar Series: Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila Join us in person for a seminar by Professor Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila (University of Edinburgh) on Persian tales from the ninth and early tenth centuries and their similarities with The Thousand and One Nights. Project Room 1.06 50 George Square EH8 9LH Edinburgh Find the venue: 50 George Square
Jan 16 2023 17.15 - 18.15 Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Seminar Series: Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila Join us in person for a seminar by Professor Jaakko Hämeen-Anttila (University of Edinburgh) on Persian tales from the ninth and early tenth centuries and their similarities with The Thousand and One Nights.
