Nearly three centuries on, Magtymguly Pyragy still unites the region
Iranian scholars, diplomats and cultural figures gathered at Kharazmi University on Thursday to commemorate the 293rd birth anniversary of Magtymguly Pyragy, the celebrated Iranian-Turkmen poet and mystic, marking his enduring role in fostering cultural dialogue and regional understanding.
The ceremony, attended by ambassadors from Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, officials from the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), academics and researchers, featured traditional music performances and cultural rituals that reflected the rich heritage associated with the renowned 18th-century literary figure.
Ali Rahbar, secretary of the event and director of the Turkmen Cultural House Institute, described the gathering as an opportunity to honor “one of the great cultural luminaries of Iran and the region,” saying that cultural icons serve as powerful symbols of identity and can help strengthen cultural diplomacy among nations.
“Magtymguly lived in a turbulent era, yet his thoughts carried messages of peace, friendship, spirituality and wisdom,” Rahbar said. “Today, he remains a shared civilizational figure linking Iran, Turkmenistan and neighboring countries.”
Mohammad Javad Haghshenas, cultural adviser to Iran’s minister of cultural heritage, said Pyragy’s legacy transcended linguistic and geographic boundaries through its emphasis on ethics, justice, human dignity and social solidarity.
“Commemorating Magtymguly is not merely remembering a poet,” Haghshenas said. “It is a tribute to a valuable part of Iran’s cultural heritage and to the contribution of Turkmen culture to the country’s historical richness.”
ECO Cultural Institute President Mohammad Hasan of Pakistan called Pyragy “a shared cultural figure among the peoples of the region,” while Tajik Ambassador Nizomiddin Zahedi said the poet’s works had become a cultural bridge connecting Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and other regional nations.
Turkmen Ambassador Ilyas Gayypov said the poet’s legacy had evolved into a key pillar of cultural cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, adding that his enduring messages of patriotism, humanity, unity and peace continue to resonate nearly three centuries later.