The Invisible Sun: Live Reading & Q&A with Sholeh Wolpé

Join us for an evening with renowned Iranian-American poet, playwright, and translator Sholeh Wolpé, as she presents The Invisible Sun: A Guide for the Soul from Rumi’s Master, her luminous new translation of the poetry of 12th-century Sufi mystic Attar of Nishapur.The Venue

About The Event:

Through a live reading followed by an audience Q&A and book signing, Wolpé will bring to life the spiritual depth and lyrical beauty of Attar’s verses, offering a unique opportunity to engage with a mystical tradition that has shaped centuries of Persian literature and inspired poets from Rumi to Hafez.

About Sholeh Wolpé:

Sholeh Wolpé is an Iranian-American poet, playwright, and librettist. Her literary work includes seven collections of poetry, several plays, five books of translations and three anthologies, as well as texts and librettos for the choir and opera.

Her most recent work include Abacus of Loss: A Memoir in Verse (University of Arkansas Press), The Invisible Sun – Attar (Harper Collins 2025), Abaco de Perdida (Visor Libros, España 2025), Song of Exile for choir and Nava Avaz, a full length opera for 6 composers (premiere 2026). Her translations of Iranian poetry, in particular 12th century Sufi mystic poet Attar, and 20th century Iranian rebel poet Forugh Farrokhzad have garnered awards and established Wolpé a as a celebrated re-creator of Persian poetry into English.

You can watch a powerful example of her work in performance - an evening of dance and music set to her interpretation and translation of Attar’s The Conference of the Birds, staged at the Getty Villa Museum in Los Angeles.

About the book:

The first comprehensive English collection from one of the world’s most influential mystics—Attar—the twelfth-century poet Rumi called his master.

Twelfth-century Persian poet Attar (1145–1221) was revered by Rumi and though his work is beloved around the world, he is mostly unknown to English readers. Translated in simple, elegant language by award-winning poet Sholeh Wolpé—one among generations of poets influenced by Attar's poetry—The Invisible Sun is a beautiful treasury of Attar’s most prescient poetry, offering comfort and inspiration.

Attar was one of the most important mystic Sufi poets in the East, comparable in stature and influence to John Milton in the West. In Western thought there is a sharp separation between day-to-day human experience and the transcendence of religion and spirituality. But Sufi philosophy teaches that while the soul awaits its release from the confines of the body, it can experience the other world through mystic union achieved by an inward journey to purify the self.

Register Your Ticket:

This event is free to attend, but we ask that you register a free ticket in advance so we know how many people to expect. Seating is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis.

The Venue:

Good Company Books is an independent English Bookstore in Lisbon. Born from our love of global literature and our Portuguese heritage, we are crafting a space for people of all backgrounds to gather and enjoy the best books, events, coffee, and wine. Find out more on our Instagram.

How To Find Us:

By Metro: We're situated a 5-minute walk from the Campo Pequeno metro (Yellow line) and a 10-minute walk from the Alameda metro (Green & Red lines).

By Bus: There are many convenient bus options 2 blocks away from us on Avenida República, with the closest stop to our store being Campo Pequeno-Av. Republica.

By Bike: If you're using the Gira public bicycles, there is a docking station right across the street (#431 - Rua do Arco Cego / Av. Magalhães Lima).

By Car: There is a paid parking lot across the street, between Rua Arco do Cego and Rua Dona Filipa de Vilhena. Street parking is also available around the neighborhood.