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SAID in 2006
Photo: Martin Schutt / dpa
The Iranian poet SAID is dead. He died at the age of 73.
The PEN center confirmed a corresponding report in the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" on Monday.
The poet always wrote his stage name in capital letters.
SAID, who lived in Munich for decades and also died there, is best known as a writer of poems, but also radio plays, essays and speeches.
His first volume of poetry appeared in 1981, and parts of his work have also been translated into English.
"We will miss him sorely as a writer"
From 1995 to 1996 SAID was Vice President and representative of the PEN Center for the “Writers in Prison Committee”, and from 2000 to 2002 President of the Center.
At times he also brokered Iranian literature to German-language publishers.
Said often dealt with his life in exile in Germany in his texts.
A main motif of his poems was love.
For his literary work, but also for his political commitment, Said received numerous awards.
"We will sorely miss him as a man of letters, as a bridge builder between cultures, as a friend," said the writer and current PEN President Regula Venske.
fek / dpa