Illustrating the Persian Book by John Renard

One of the perks of working at The Library of Congress affords me the opportunity to be aware of and attend programs that otherwise might be missed. Today was such an occasion, and the subject matter was all Persian. My husband and two of our friends who traveled with us to Iran five years ago, joined me here at work and we walked over. As a part of celebrating the "Thousand Years of the Persian Book" exhibit currently on display in the Jefferson Building, an all day program was scheduled. The speaker, John Renard, was enchanting and a great story teller. The presentation about "Illustrating the Persian Book: The Happy Marriage of Literacy and Visual Narrative" was wonderful. In the audience were several poets visiting from Iran who would shortly be on their way to New York and LA. My husband spoke to one of them right before the catered luncheon of Middle Eastern treats. The only bad part was I couldn't stay to hear the panel discussion in the afternoon. There will be several more programs offered through September. We've attended so many that we have become friends with Hirad, the specialist who coordinated this event and works in the Library's African and Middle Eastern Division. It all takes place in the beautiful Jefferson Building. I never had this kind of opportunity in Milwaukee. The only thing I missed was an afternoon nap.