The 60-year-old writer and poet said he was illiterate until 25. He is now fluent in Italian, Hindi, Arabic, Beluchi and local harbor language.

IBNA: Speaking with IBNA, Hassan Bertina said he is currently working on his latest book entitled as 33 Years with the Revolution.

He said he has so far received over 400 honorary diplomas. “I entered the island in 2001 from BandarAbbas. I was illiterate until 25. I saw Imam Khomeini enter the country in 1979 on TV which inspired me to become literatre.”

As he said, he spent exactly 48 consecutive hours to learn Persian letters and writing symbols. “I learned Persian alphabet without any teachers and did it despite discouragements from my literate friends. I finally managed to make sentences out of words to could read and write.”

The frequent visitor of Abumusa’s public library for its poetry reading sessions added, “I enrolled in one of the programs for teaching the illiterates when I entered the island in 2001 and finished my elementary levels in 2006. I am currently working on 33 Years with the Revolution.”

Bertina has so far received two honorary diplomas from the president and has penned 4 articles on issues like creation based on Quranic exegeses. He partakes in whatever cultural contest he can in Iran and has been a member of Abumusa library for 8 years.

A barber, Bertina has a well-stocked library in his house and work place. “I enrolled in the library to encourage the youngsters to get to read books no matter where they live.”

Speaking of the languages he is fluent in he said he learned them when he was a guardian of the Oil Industry Organization in Bandar Abbas where he was in contact with many Italians and Indians.

33 years with the Revolution will encompass Bertina’s stories, reports, articles and poetry pieces.

Id : 146440