Golestan

The research entitled “A comparative study of Saadi’s Golestan and Samuel Johnson’s Rasselas” is based on the inclination of 18th century writer and theorist Johnson on towards rich Persian literature and outstanding resemblance of Golestan and Rassales from the structural, moral, Philosophical points of view. The findings are based on two hypotheses: (1) Has there been any basis for Johnson’s specific attention to Persian literature and if there has been any interest or familiarity with Persian literature, how extensive or profound has it been? (2) With regard to the deep influence of the French Neo-classicists on English Neo-classicists in the 18th century, is there any possibility that, even Johnson had an access to the English text of Golestan. The present paper also comes up with noteworthy results representing this fact that the first feeling about the similarity between Golestan and Rasselas was not baseless. The evidence indicates that not only was Johnson fascinated by Arabic and Persian literature (which Europeans considered interchangeable) but also widely studied the translation of Persian poets like Saadi. The similarity between the two works has been so remarkable that it attracted the attention of some of Persian and English scholars. However, the present project is intended to test and check the authenticity of this sense of similarity, to give it a second thought and to deal with it more consciously and seriously than it has experienced so far.

Of the various literary works, which have come to exist during the centuries and civilizations, few are capable of remaining in the universal history of literature and culture. Also among these few, only finger trip has become immortal on the people's mind and memory. One might conclude that having joint humanistic concerns is a cause for the immortality of any work of art or literature. The more a literary work deals with commons, questions, subjectivities and human pains, more people will find their own feelings and "their heart word" in it. Undoubtedly, "Saadi’s Golestan" can be considered one of such works. The present study reconsiders Saadi’s Golestan in terms of anxieties and concerns that contemporary human beings are encountered with. Since Saadi’s strategies and techniques are based on his humanitarian experiences, wisdom and high qualities of genius, intellect and attention to readers, in many situations, it appears to be a solution for the contemporary human problems, and this is the secret to the Golestan’s durability. The research, using descriptive–analytic method and through an inter-textual and induction approach, tries to explain Saadi's humanitarian views and his strategies and techniques to respond to the contemporary human pains and challenges. According to the outcomes of the research, a great part of Saadi's sayings in Golestan is based on his humanistic views and his solutions to the social and spiritual (existential) anxieties and crises. Therefore, his teachings, surpassing the place and time, often can be a healing to the contemporary human's sufferings and a solution for his ongoing challenges.

Of the various literary works, which have come to exist during the centuries and civilizations, few are capable of remaining in the universal history of literature and culture. Also among these few, only finger trip has become immortal on the people's mind and memory. One might conclude that having joint humanistic concerns is a cause for the immortality of any work of art or literature. The more a literary work deals with commons, questions, subjectivities and human pains, more people will find their own feelings and "their heart word" in it. Undoubtedly, "Saadi’s Golestan" can be considered one of such works. The present study reconsiders Saadi’s Golestan in terms of anxieties and concerns that contemporary human beings are encountered with. Since Saadi’s strategies and techniques are based on his humanitarian experiences, wisdom and high qualities of genius, intellect and attention to readers, in many situations, it appears to be a solution for the contemporary human problems, and this is the secret to the Golestan’s durability. The research, using descriptive–analytic method and through an inter-textual and induction approach, tries to explain Saadi's humanitarian views and his strategies and techniques to respond to the contemporary human pains and challenges. According to the outcomes of the research, a great part of Saadi's sayings in Golestan is based on his humanistic views and his solutions to the social and spiritual (existential) anxieties and crises. Therefore, his teachings, surpassing the place and time, often can be a healing to the contemporary human's sufferings and a solution for his ongoing challenges

Climate is one of the many factors such as socio-cultural values, economics, materials, administrative factors and technology that influence architectural forms. The climatic solutions effecting on architecture, differ in various regions, cultures, time and technology. The climate of the province of Golestan plays an active role in the formation and diversity of vernacular dwellings. This region is in contact with numerous environmental factors. It is limited by Alborz Mountain in the south, by Turkmenistan desert in the north-east, and by Caspian Sea in the north-west bringing about high humidity in this province. With this background, the paper's question raised: "How do the climatic design principles of vernacular architecture respond to microclimates in this region?" In this paper, the focus is on building's envelopes and shells in three local climatic scopes of the region. The paper is based on a combination of research methodologies: field research (integrating case studies) and archival research. The climatic data are being analyzed by Mahoney tables providing preliminary design recommendations. They are grouped under eight headings: layout, spacing, ventilation, openings (size, position and protection), the relation between building and ground, veranda, wall and roof. This essay argues about the knowledge and skill of vernacular and traditional bioclimatic construction suggesting conceptual strategies for improve current dwelling aiming to a sustainable future.