Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard, entrepreneur and philanthropist and executive director of the University of New Hampshire Broadband Center of Excellence, can claim as his professional legacy key roles in some significant broadband advancements, including inventing the cable modem and establishing cable modem industry standards.
At first glance, founding a poetry festival would seem something of an incongruous addition to that list of achievements. But Yassini-Fard had strong motivation for doing just that – he made the gift that established the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival at UNH to honor the life of his mother.
Yassini-Fard spearheaded a gift of $2 million from the YAS Foundation to establish the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Fund, which supports a year-long schedule of activities celebrating and promoting the power of poetry at UNH and beyond. That celebration culminates each April in a festival, coinciding with National Poetry Month, named in honor of his mother, who passed away in 2022.
Yassini-Fard mentioned to festival organizers that he also made the donation to support UNH and the state of New Hampshire, “both of which he loves dearly,” says Danielle Jones, festival director. He also wanted to support poets, Jones says, because he understands how hard it can be for them to make ends meet. To that end, the gift also supports $20,000 in awards given to poets of all ages each year.
The inaugural festival was held over two days in April 2024. The second Nossrat Yassini Poetry Festival will take place at UNH in Hamilton Smith Hall on April 19, 2025.
“The power of poetry is strong, and it can link cultures and communities. This festival can serve as a place to reward our current and future poets and writers, such that it will have a profound impact on people’s lives,” Yassini-Fard said in an interview with UNH Magazine prior to last year’s inaugural event.
This year’s installment will feature readings, workshops, multi-genre performances, a small press fair and more. It will also celebrate the winners of the Nossrat Yassini Poetry Prize and the Granite State Poetry Prize. Featured poets this year include Robert Pinsky, MartÍn Espada, Crystal Valentine, Andrea Cohen, Jennifer Militello and Matthew Olzmann.
The fund that led to the creation of the festival also supports a Nossrat Yassini Poet in Residence within the English department – Diannely Antigua was selected as the first recipient of the honor – as well as a graduate assistantship each year to a UNH student in the master of fine arts in writing program.
