Germany honors Uecker's Hafez tribute in Dushanbe

In May 2025, the German Embassy in Tajikistan brought together artists, diplomats, and art lovers to honor one of Germany’s most celebrated contemporary artists, Günther Uecker. Known worldwide for his striking nail reliefs and textured works, Uecker has long drawn inspiration from the timeless verses of Hafez, the great Persian poet who lived over 700 years ago.

This special evening marked the opening of a public gallery showcasing Uecker’s artworks — many of which are directly shaped by Hafez’s themes of love, mysticism, and human longing. The event was not just a celebration of visual art, but a vibrant cultural gathering filled with live music, poetry readings, and reflections on the deep connections between German and Persian artistic traditions.

For Uecker, Hafez’s poetry offers a spiritual bridge between cultures — and his works attempt to translate that lyrical beauty into visual form. This event in Dushanbe, supported by the German Embassy, is the second major tribute to Uecker’s Hafez-inspired pieces, following a remarkable first celebration held at Hafez’s tomb in Shiraz, Iran.

Guests at the event spoke of the power of art to transcend borders and time, showing how a medieval Persian poet’s words can still inspire modern audiences across the world. The gallery opening offered visitors a chance to step into that dialogue — between word and image, East and West, past and present.

As the evening unfolded with heartfelt performances and moving speeches, the celebration stood as a testament to the enduring power of art and poetry to bring people together — to remind us all of the shared human spirit that links us, no matter where we come from.