A writer you don’t have to go far to see

Don’t miss the chance to hear from a very unique Persian, when Newport Public Library welcomes Iranian translator and teacher Alireza Taghdarreh this Saturday, July 19.

Taghdarreh will speak about his literary translations and offer personal reflections on Iranian culture and daily life.

He spent more than a decade translating Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden” into Persian, or Farsi. He has also translated Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Nature” and Bill Powers’ “Hamlet’s Blackberry,” a commentary on modern digital life. His work reflects a deep belief in the shared values between cultures.

“I am a bridge builder,” he said. “I build bridges between cultures.”

His collaborative relationship with Lincoln County writer Wallace Kaufman led to his first trip to the United States in 2015, where he spoke at the Walden Woods Project — introduced by musician Don Henley of The Eagles — and was later featured in The Atlantic by senior correspondent James Fallows. In 2016, he was selected by the Unites States Department of State to participate in an international program examining how English is taught as a second language.

He returns this summer accompanied by his wife Maryam Ashoory, who is making her first trip outside of the Middle East.

The talk begins at 2 pm at Newport Public Library, located at 35 NW Nye Street. For more information, go to newportoregon.gov or call 541-265-2153.