The Rubaiyat anniversary season is with us
On this day, 31st March, in the year 1859, Edward FitzGerald published his great poem, the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. For FitzGerald himself, this was even more of a seminal year, as he turned 50 on the same day, and he had very recently lost one of his great friends, W E Browne. as a result of a riding accident.
For us, 164 years later, this is an opportunity to celebrate the life of FitzGerald and the marvellous gift that he gave to the world. That his Rubaiyat has remained something of interest, value and stimulus, so many years after its creation, is a measure of its greatness and of the skills of its author. Let us all celebrate, in our own way, this special occasion, and, in the next few weeks, reflect on what the Rubaiyat has brought us and others in the intervening years. The Rubaiyat anniversary season will end on May 18th, with the celebration of the birth of Omar Khayyam, to whom the original Persian verses are attributed.
Omar Khayyam Rubaiyat 
Hello Sandra and Bill — I hope this finds you both well. It’s been about fifteen years since my recording of the piece and I feel the stirrings to give it another go. However, I’m not at all clear as to what the Rubaiyat “season” entails. Are there special events planned? — David C.
FITZOMAR
A Suffolk Syllogism Celebrating Syzygy
Omar is Fitz
Light is Life
Fire is Water, and
Such is Love – like what we oughter !
No special events as yet, David, though it would be nice if there were some. But it is a good time to reflect on the Rubaiyat and its content. Even those of us who value and love the poem sometimes find ourselves taking it for granted! And thanks, Charles, for your cryptic Suffolk thoughts!
And perhaps this “special season” would be an excellent time to transform my “thinking about” to “actually beginning” on another take on a recitation — some fifteen years later! Yes, I think so. Of course, I’ll keep you posted, and possibly have some questions to put, as I dive in afresh.
Very best wishes to you both.
That’s an exciting prospect David, Good luck with the project.
Thank you OKR! FitzGerald’s Rubaiyat is always in front of me.