Tajikistan to honor Hafez at UNESCO, showcases over 500 titles at Tehran Int’l Book Fair
By Sadeq Dehqan
Staff writer
Tajikistan will mark the 700th anniversary of Persian poet Hafez with a special event at UNESCO headquarters in Paris this June, featuring literary programs and two book launches, a senior cultural official said during the 36th Tehran International Book Fair.
Abdulrahman Zadeh Abdoli, Tajikistan’s Ministry of Culture representative and director of the country's stand at the fair, said the commemoration will include the unveiling of ‘Selected Ghazals of Hafez Shirazi’ and ‘A Cry from the Heavens,’ a critical work on Hafez’s poetry.
Speaking with Iran Daily on the sidelines of the fair, Abdoli called Persian literature “invaluable” and said its reach has expanded across borders.
“Our literature has conquered the world,” he said, adding that its timeless themes are resonating globally.
He emphasized that today, the world “needs this rich literature more than ever,” especially the moral and spiritual depth found in the works of classical poets like Rudaki, Rumi, Jami, Sa’adi, and Hafez.
Tajikistan, he said, is committed to introducing Persian-language poets and their ideas to global audiences. Last year, the country hosted an event at UNESCO in Paris to honor Rumi, where ‘Jaam-e Jaan’ and a selection of Rumi’s ghazals were distributed. “The reception was warm,” he noted.
He praised the high level of cultural and literary relations between Tajikistan and Iran, saying cultural exchange plays a vital role in strengthening “friendship and brotherhood” between the two nations. “This book fair is an excellent platform for enhancing bilateral cooperation in literature and culture,” he said.
Tajikistan is participating in this year’s fair with over 500 book titles across various fields, including science, literature, history, and encyclopedias. “There’s been strong interest in our publications,” Abdoli said, adding that ongoing talks with Iranian publishers may pave the way for deeper cooperation in the publishing sector.
He pointed to continued state support for literature in Tajikistan. “Every year, the government allocates a substantial budget to print and distribute literary works both at home and abroad.” One major project is the Stars of Literature series — a 50-volume collection featuring the works of Persian-speaking poets from Rudaki to contemporary voices.
In 2024, Tajikistan also published Tajiks, a historical and cultural study by the late scholar Babajan Gafurov. “A copy was given to every Tajik household,” Abdoli said. In 2025, the government plans to publish a two-volume edition of Ferdowsi’s ‘Shahnameh,’ again distributing it free to households to promote awareness of the nation’s cultural heritage.
Abdoli highlighted the deep connection Tajiks have with Persian literature. “Tajik families have a profound love for poetry,” he said. “Many mothers place books like Sa’adi’s ‘Golestan,’ Rumi’s ‘Mathnavi,’ or Hafez’s ‘Divan’ under their children’s pillows. It’s how they grow up with our literary legacy.”
The 36th Tehran International Book Fair began on May 7 and runs through May 17, under the slogan “Read for Iran.”