On a damp and chilly evening in Birmingham, two distinguished Persian poets, Shakila Azizzada and Azita Ghahreman, read with poet-translators, Mimi Khalvati and Sarah Maguire at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham.

We were all astonished at the wonderful turn-out: more than 70 people came along, despite the downpour, and all our chapbooks sold out afterwards. The poets were very warmly received and it was an incredibly successful evening.

We're very grateful to Jonanthan Davidson, Artistic Director of the Birmingham Book Festival, and Sara Beadle, of Writing West Midlands, for working so hard to make the event such a pleasure for everyone involved.

We deeply regret that, for personal reasons, Partaw Naderi is unable to take part in our Persian Poets' Tour. We all miss him very much indeed.