Ferdowsi’s enduring heritage ...
A group of daf (frame drum) players perform during a ceremony marking National Ferdowsi Day at the tomb of Persian poet Ferdowsi in Tus, Khorasan Razavi Province, northeastern Iran, May 15, 2025. IRAN DAILY
Page 1
Participants also included representatives from foreign consulates, cultural and literary figures, university professors, and researchers dedicated to Ferdowsi.
The celebration took place in a lively atmosphere, warmly received by the public and poetry and culture enthusiasts.
During the event, officials, poets, and guests paid homage to Ferdowsi’s memory and commended the high stature of this celebrated epic poet. The program featured performances such as heroic sports displays, epic music, poetry recitations, and reenactments of scenes from the ‘Shahnameh,’ (Book of Kings) a long epic poem written by Ferdowsi, creating an environment full of enthusiasm and grandeur.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a message on this occasion, which was read at the ceremony by Mahmoud Shalouei, head of Society for the Appreciation of Cultural Works and Dignitaries. In his message, he emphasized that this day is a celebration of the Persian language, a recognition of cultural identity, and a tribute to Iran’s glorious civilization.
Ferdowsi, through his monumental ‘Shahnameh,’ not only preserved Iran’s history from forgetfulness but also created an everlasting model for our cultural life. This model is rooted in the ideals of freedom, justice, and self-respect. Today, it is essential for us to revisit and revive this heroic spirit— a spirit in which this revered poet, both outwardly and inwardly, spoke of human dignity, national pride, and hope for victory over oppression and decay. The Persian language embodies this enduring unity, representing not just the historical identity of Iranians but also serving as a mirror of the shared culture of the peoples of this expansive land.
Addressing the ceremony, Esmaeili said, "Let us unite and pledge beside the tomb of the great Ferdowsi to uphold and preserve the Persian language, script, history, and literature of Iran. Take pride in them, pass them on to future generations, and safeguard them as a treasured legacy.
He emphasized that ‘Shahnameh’ is more than just poetry; it is a guide to manners, morals, and wisdom.
"By reading the ‘Shahnameh,’ we naturally transmit the values we hold dear—patriotism, sacrifice, selflessness, and kindness — to the generations to come. All these virtues are embedded throughout the epic.