The Long Journey Home | Attar’s “The Conference of the Birds” | Spotlight

Poet Sholeh Wolpé honors the enduring wisdom of Attar’s twelfth-century, Sufi epic, “The Conference of the Birds.” Through her lauded translation, or recreation, of the poem and a newly developed musical performance, The Seven Valleys, Wolpé brings Attar’s story of the search for divine meaning to new audiences. Explore more perspectives on The Conference of the Birds: The Spotlight series features new perspectives on a single work from The Met collection each month. Familiar and celebrated works serve as the focal point for dialogue—posing questions, building understanding, and conveying how the presence of the work in the Museum has altered, limited, or enhanced the work’s interpretation. The series explores different ways of knowing, and relates to themes beyond art and museums through the expertise and personal experience of invited guests. Explore more of Spotlight: Subscribe for new content from The Met: #TheMet #Art #TheMetropolitanMuseumofArt #Museum © 2022 The Metropolitan Museum of Art