Ferdowsi Summer School of Persianate Languages and Literatures
August 10 - September 4
Location: Yerevan (Armenia)
Dates: August 10 – September 4
Instructors: Iskandar Ding, Kristof Szitar, Ruben Nikoghosyan
Languages: Chaghatai, Urdu, Classical Persian
Duration: 4 weeks (40+ hours)
Days: Monday to Friday
Hours: 9AM – 2:30PM
Instruction Language: English
Requirements: Lower intermediate to advanced level of Persian
Deadline for Applications: April 1
Participation: In person
Participation Fee:
- Before February 28: 2100 USD
- After February 28: 2500 USD
Payment: Bank Transfer, Cash
Additional Activities: Workshops; Banquets; Tours around Armenia
Introduction
The Ferdowsi School of Persian Languages is delighted to present its summer program in Yerevan, Armenia, from August 10th to September 4th. This intensive summer school will offer a comprehensive curriculum in three languages: Classical Persian, Chaghatay, and Urdu.
The summer school will take place in Yerevan, Armenia, an ancient crossroads of cultures and civilizations, which for centuries have been a part of the Persianate cultural realm. The program offers participants a unique opportunity to explore the rich literary and cultural traditions of Southwest, Central, and South Asia. The program ensures that all three languages receive equal emphasis, providing daily instruction in each language.
Apart from the classroom activities, the Summer School participants will also enjoy the unique hospitality of the Armenian capital through welcome and farewell banquets, accompanied by traditional musical performances. They will also have the opportunity to explore the charming landscapes and centuries old historical monuments through guided tours organized by the school.
The Classes
Participants are expected to have at least a lower intermediary to advanced knowledge of Classical Persian, while no prior knowledge of Chaghatay or Urdu is necessary.
In addition to language instruction, the program includes seminars, lectures, and workshops on Persianate cultures and literatures, covering topics such as literary history, manuscript studies, and the evolution of writing systems.
Yerevan’s strategic location allows for enriching excursions into various regions of Armenia, including the neighboring Georgia, offering participants a deeper understanding of Armenian cultural connections to the wider Persianate world.
The in-person format of the summer school will foster a direct interaction and collaboration among participants, instructors, and fellow scholars, creating a vibrant academic community and enriching the overall experience.
By the end of the program, participants will possess a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the Persianate literary traditions, enabling them to engage independently with texts in all three languages.
In addition to the engaging daily classes, participants will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of workshops dedicated to particularly fascinating aspects of Persianate literary and linguistic traditions, manuscript reading, source studies, and related fields. On the weekends, participants will explore the hidden gems of Armenian monumental architecture, creating opportunities for more direct interaction with the instructors as well as with the local culture.