The 18th commemoration of Ferdowsi was held in Paliz Farhang va Farzanegan Cultural Institute, in Kashan.
The 18th commemoration of ferdowsi was held on Thursday, Ordibehesht 21, 1402 (May 11, 2023) in Mehregan Hall of Mehr Cultural Center in Kashan, with the present of more than 300 lovers of culture and of Ferdowsi and the epics of the Kings in Shahnameh, with the speech of contemporary philosopher Mustafa Malekian, Dr. Mohammad Rastgoo, professor of Kashan University, Nima Zahiri, culture researcher, and Ali Dehbashi, editor of Bukhara magazine, were held.
In this program, Farahmand and Farahdokht Farzanegan performed a play based on the story of Zahak, accompanied by the “tar” of Ahmadreza Jafarifard.
This commemoration ceremony started at 17:00 with the presentation of Narges Hamzehie.
Masoud Farzanegan Bidgoli, the director of “The Paliz Farhang and Farzanegi” institute, welcomed the audience by pointing out the reason for commemorating Ferdowsi and the importance of reading the Shahnameh and receiving and applying its advice and secrets in today’s life. Then, a video about the efforts made by Paliz cultural institute was played.
Dr Rastegar began his speech by looking into the history of the period before and after Ferdowsi, as well as the reason for writing the Shahnameh and which were the circumstances at that time; and also about his crucial role in keeping the Persian language alive. He believed that the work of Ferdowsi in the fast field of culture went beyond religion and ethnicity. He said: “Although ferdowsi was a Shiite, he placed culture above religion.”
In the final part of his speech, he explained some of the added verses of the Shahnameh, which has been accepted by the society.
At the request of Dr Mohammad Reza Shafeie Kadkani, Nima Zaheri, one of the young researchers of culture and art, who has studied the historical periods that followed the publication of Shahnameh, spoke about the historic coarse of the editors of the Shahnameh, in various periods. At the end of his speech he recited the famous ode of Dr Shafeie Kadkani, in the honor of the name of Ferdowsi.
Then, for 20 minutes, Farhmand and Farahdokht Farzanegan, skillfully and artisticly told the story of Zahak, from the time when King Jamshid lost his divine power, the beginning of the rule of “the snake carrying” Zahak, birth and growth of Fereydoon, the rise of Kaveh and erection of the Kaviani flag, and the arrest of Zahak in Mount Damavand. This declamation was particularly applauded by the professors and the participants.
Professor Mostafa Malekian started his speech by stressing on the importance of rationalism and wisdom in literary works. He said that every work of art, such as Shahnameh, Boostan, Golestan, etc., should be applied in the every-day lives of our people. Otherwise what is the use of these great works?
He stated: Every work of art should have three characteristics:
1: Rationality and rationalism are woven in the concept of the work and should not have any contradictions with rationality; Words that contradict rationality are useless.
2: Every speech must be under the universal principles of ethics. Principles are equally worthy of acceptance in all nations, religions, schools, and professions.
3: Speech should not be in conflict with human rights. Human rights are not only those that are mentioned in the world declaration of human rights or the human rights that are mentioned in the constitution. I mean the true meaning of human rights.
He further added: “In order to know how useful the words of Ferdowsi or any other thinker such as Saadi, Shakespeare, Molavi, etc., are for people’s lives today, We have to consider the above three factors.”
Next to speak was Professor Ali Dehbashi. He spoke in short about the importance of entrusting cultural works to the young generation and accepting their efforts to show their abilities and ideas. He added: “Today’s society needs the thinking of these young people so that according to their taste, what is in the Shahnameh can be shown in new ways such as painting, simile, story writing, story reading, etc.
After that, the book “Yadman-e Ferdowsi” (in remembrance of Ferdowsi), compiled by Prof Ali Dehbashi, was unveiled in the presence of Professors Malekian, Professor Mohammad Farivar, Dr. Rastgoo, and Engineer Masoud Farzanegan.
Unveiling of this book, which has a special view towards the youth for upgrading their culture, was done by Farahmand and Farahdokht Farzanegan.
The book “Yadman-e Ferdowsi” in 1167 pages, contains a collection of articles by the most prominent researchers in the Persian language and literature, about the life of Ferdowsi and the historic period in which he lived, and evaluating the various aspects and capabilities of this great book. This book is published by Yas Negar Publishers.
In another part of the program, Master Ahmadreza Jafarifard, one of the master musicians, performed a Tar solo.
Nima Hazeri presented the final program of the celebration, by extending special thinks to the art and cultural activities of Kashan, Aran and Bidgol. The tree-planting birth certificate, Ferdowsi carpet panel, and Ferdowsi commemorative statue were presented to the activists by Prof. Farivar and Masoumeh Akhavan Bidgoli.
It should be noted that the presence of guests from the cities of Karaj, Sari, Yazd, Tehran, Qom, and Ardestan, as well as a large number of Ferdowsi lovers, was more than the capacity of the hall, which shows the people’s attachment to literature and culture as well as lack of cultural facilities in cities like Kashan, Aran and Bidgol.
