Starting with the poetry of Hafez, one of the most famous Iranian poets of the 14th century, choreographer Parya Saberi considers “every word as a jewel.” During the pandemic, with her mother stranded here in the United States, Saberi and her mother read Hafez’s poetry daily to begin each morning together during shelter-in-place. Each section of her latest project is named after a section of a poem by famous Iranian poets, and thematic inspirations come from the words. “The verses have so much movement and dance within them,” notes Saberi.

Starting with the poetry of Hafez, one of the most famous Iranian poets of the 14th century, choreographer Parya Saberi considers “every word as a jewel.” During the pandemic, with her mother stranded here in the United States, Saberi and her mother read Hafez’s poetry daily to begin each morning together during shelter-in-place. Each section of her latest project is named after a section of a poem by famous Iranian poets, and thematic inspirations come from the words. “The verses have so much movement and dance within them,” notes Saberi.