In Conversation: Leili Anvar on “Leyli and Majnûn”, moderated by Negah Angha

Author talk and book signing

Join renowned scholar, writer, translator, and author Leili Anvar for a conversation exploring Layli and Majnûn, her acclaimed retelling and translation of one of the greatest love stories in world literature, based on the celebrated Persian poem by Jami and published by Éditions Diane de Selliers.

In dialogue with Negah Angha, Leili Anvar will examine the enduring power of this timeless tale, in which earthly love becomes a path toward spiritual transformation. Through poetry, storytelling, and reflection, the discussion will explore themes of longing, devotion, separation, and the search for the Beloved, while also offering insights into the creation of this richly illustrated volume.

The conversation will be held in English and will include time for audience questions and a book-signing session.

Copies of Leyli and Majnûn are available for purchase in advance of the event. Books ordered through the Museum Shop Online (follow this link) will be available for collection on the day of the event, prior to the lecture and book-signing session.

This talk is conducted in English.

Friday, October 2, 2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

Jami’s Leyli and Majnûn, Illustrated with Oriental Miniatures
Translated from Persian, with notes and an introduction by Leili Anvar
Diane de Selliers Publishing

About the speakers

Leili Anvar is a graduate of the École Normale Supérieure and a Senior Lecturer at the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilisations (INALCO). A specialist in Persian literature, mystical poetry, and the spiritual traditions of the Iranian world, she is both a translator and an author whose research has focused extensively on love literature and its spiritual dimensions.

She has published numerous books and articles, including The Religion of Love according to Rumi (La Religion de l’Amour de Rûmî, Seuil, 2011), as well as several landmark publications with Éditions Diane de Selliers. She is particularly known for her acclaimed verse translation into French of The Conference of the Birds by Farid al-Din Attar, one of the masterpieces of Persian mystical literature.

Negah Angha has served on the Board of Directors of MACS MTO since July 2024. After twenty years working in foreign policy across the U.S. government, the private sector, think tanks, and academia, she is currently pursuing doctoral research in the Department of War Studies at King’s College London.

Her research explores the role of religion in shaping social, cultural, and political dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as ethical approaches to conflict resolution within Sufi communities. As a researcher, educator, and photographer, she brings together fieldwork, academic inquiry, and a commitment to peacebuilding and community development. She is also a founding member of the American Friends of Sufi Arts, Culture and Knowledge (AFSACK).