Haleh Liza Gafori is a translator, poet, musician, and educator born in New York City of Persian descent. Her book of translations, GOLD: Poems by Rumi, was released in 2022.
Haleh grew up hearing recitations of Persian poetry and, over the last two decades, has maintained and deepened her connection with the work through singing and translating poetry by various Persian poets, including the 13th century mystic and sage Rumi. With ears tuned to contemporary American poetry as well as to the subtleties of the Persian text, cultural context, and array of meanings animating certain words, Haleh brings a welcome depth and precision to the translations.
Haleh believes Rumi’s poetry offers liberating and nourishing perspectives vital to our times, inviting us into deeper levels of love and generosity. She has taught classes on Rumi’s poetry at universities, festivals, and institutions including Dartmouth University, Warren Wilson College, Taos Poetry Festival, and the Omega Institute.