Sholeh Wolpé
Sholeh Wolpé is an Iranian-born poet, playwright and librettist. About her poems, the Poetry Foundation
writes, “Wolpé’s concise, unflinching, and often wry free verse explores violence, culture, and
gender.” Named a “2020-2021 Cultural Trailblazer” by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs,
Wolpé is the recipient of the 2014 PEN/Heim, 2013 Midwest Book Award, 2010 Lois Roth Persian Translation
prize as well as artist fellowships and residencies in the U.S., Mexico, Spain, Australia and Switzerland. Her
most recent books include Keeping Time With Blue Hyacinth (Univ. of Arkansas Press), and
The Conference of
the Birds
(W.W. Norton). Wolpé’s literary work numbers over twelve collections of poetry, books of
translations, and anthologies, as well as several plays. She has performed her literary work with world-
renowned musicians nationally and internationally. She has taught poetry and literary translation at UCLA
and the University of Maine’s Stonecoast MFA program, and is presently the Writer-in-Residence at
University of California, Irvine. She is presently working on an oratorio, The Conference of the Birds, with
composer Fahad Siadat. More information: www.sholehwolpe.com Follow her on Twitter or Instagram
@Sholeh_Wolpe.