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Razi University Honors Ferdowsi and Celebrates Persian Language and Literature

Razi University’s Faculty of Literature and Humanities hosted a commemorative ceremony on Tuesday, May 21, 2025, to honor Hakim Abolqasem Ferdowsi, the renowned Persian poet, and to celebrate the richness of the Persian language.
The event brought together university administrators, scholars, poets, students, and enthusiasts of Persian literature in a vibrant cultural gathering. Dr. Jamal Fathollahi, President of Razi University, was among the distinguished attendees.
Keynote Address by Dr. Mirjalaleddin Kazzazi
One of the highlights of the ceremony was a live video address by Dr. Mirjalaleddin Kazzazi, a prominent scholar of Persian literature and an acclaimed authority on Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh. In his eloquent speech, Dr. Kazzazi praised Ferdowsi as “a paragon of Iranian culture and wisdom” and emphasized the poet’s foundational role in preserving Iranian identity through his epic masterpiece.
“Ferdowsi did not merely compose a heroic epic,” he stated. “He immortalized the essence of Iranian identity and the Persian language. Without Shahnameh, our sense of national and linguistic pride might not be what it is today.”
Dr. Kazzazi also reflected on Iran’s historical legacy as a land of eloquent speech and literary greatness, noting that Persian has long been one of the most expressive languages of human thought and creativity.
Academic Insights on Ferdowsi’s Legacy
Following Dr. Kazzazi’s remarks, Dr. Parnian, a faculty member in the Department of Persian Language and Literature, welcomed attendees and gave a scholarly talk on the enduring value of Shahnameh. He described Ferdowsi’s epic as:
“The distilled essence of three to four thousand years of Iranian culture, wisdom, and civilization… Shahnameh is not just a literary masterpiece—it is a compendium of Iranian philosophy, ethics, worldview, and identity.”
Dr. Parnian further highlighted the Shahnameh’s remarkable ability to encompass all four major genres of classical literature: epic, lyrical, didactic, and dramatic.
Cultural Program and Artistic Tribute
The event featured traditional Persian music, as well as bilingual recitations from the Shahnameh in both Persian and Kurdish, showcasing the cultural diversity and literary richness of the region.
A special moment of the ceremony was the unveiling of a live-painted portrait of Dr. Kazzazi, created during the event. The unveiling was led by President Fathollahi and marked as a tribute to Dr. Kazzazi’s lifelong dedication to Persian literature.
A Well-Received Celebration
The ceremony, organized by the Vice-Presidency for Cultural and Social Affairs, was met with an enthusiastic reception. Participants praised the diverse and thoughtful programming, which successfully honored Iran’s literary heritage and reaffirmed Razi University’s commitment to promoting Persian language and culture.
 


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