A commemoration ceremony was held for Dr Mir Jalaleddin Kazzazi, the enduring figure of Persian language and literature, by the Association of Sources of National Glory and Pride, in presence of a group of distinguished university professors.
In this ceremony, a group of professors and experts in Persian language and literature spoke about the position and influential role of Mir Jalaleddin Kazzazi in Iran’s cultural and literary sphere.
Honoring Kazzazi is honoring Ferdowsi and Shahnameh.
In his speech, Mahmoud Shalavi, head of the Association of sources of national glory and pride, said: “Is there anyone who does not know and admire Prof Kazzazi? The teacher’s love and attachment to this land, his abundant knowledge, and his sweet tone when speaking, makes you feel as if Saadi or Hafez are talking with us today! Honoring Kazzazi is honoring Ferdowsi and Shahnameh; honoring Shahnameh is honoring ancient culture, originality, and national identity. Today, we are known in the world for these sages and intellectuals, and one of the most prominent of these sages is Kazzazi. We increased Ferdowsi’s year to 10 days this year, Hafez’s day for one year, and most of the literary programs from one day in our calendar, to more than the one-day.
Kazzazi’s poems are worth listening to
Mahdokht Moin, daughter of Prof. Mohammad Moin and retired professor of Allameh Tabatabai University, said in his speech: I am hereby extending my gratitude to Prof Kazzazi. I have learned a lot from this teacher, during the 40 years I have known him. In a way, both my children were Kazzazi’s students. I published some articles on “Study of Hafez” in Bukhara magazine, in which I referred to the books of Kazzazi about Hafez. The sentences are intricate in beauty, which adds to the beauty of the works. Kazzazi’s books have been the basis of my articles and many others, such as Books in the Hafez and Shahnameh studies. Our professor has a poetic flair, and his poems are so worth listening. Kazzazi’s travelogues are interesting and authentic and will take you to the land he is talking about.
Valuable works of Kazzazi in the field of Shahnameh studies and Hafezology
Mohammad Hasan Hassanzadeh Nayeri, director of the Department of Persian Language and Literature of Allameh Tabatabai University, also said in his speech: ” The image of a writer can be seen in his works.” One of the most famous definitions of existence in philosophy is that you know existence from the effects of existence. If we do not have effects, we do not exist. Therefore, when we talk about his works, it is as if we are introducing a part of him to the readers. The works and signs of Kazzazi are both diverse and numerous.
The first effect is his honorable family, which has presented educated and useful children to Iran and the world, for example, Mrs Simindokht Kazzazi, who has sacrificed all her life for the family. The second effect is his students. The teacher’s thoughts and knowledge are transferred to students and will be treasured forever. I am one of his first students. I am a follower of tis teacher, and I am proud of this. The third effect is his written works. Just some of the areas that he has touched are Shahnameh studies, Hafez studies, Khaqani studies, Iranian studies, poetry, travelogue writing, and translation of valuable world books into Farsi.
Hassanzadeh stated: Kazzazi always deals with the peaks and has studied the likes of Saadi, Hafez, Ferdowsi, Khaqani, and such great people. All procedures and all strains deal with the text, do not neglect any point, and deal with all aspects, including terminology and aesthetics. The fourth category is the existence of Kazzazi himself. The teacher has a good mind. All of Kazzazi’s existential spheres, including thoughts and desires, are in harmony with each other, and all of these are in harmony with external construction, that is, behavior and actions, and this is honesty. What we take from his writing is what we see in his behavior.
Kazzazi is a product of Shahnameh.
Rohollah Hadi, a professor at Tehran University and one of Kazzazi’s students, said: We have gathered her today to commemorate and honor one of Iran’s children. Kazzazi is a product of Shahnameh. Research on Khasqani without any biography is a challenging task. The number of professors who deal with Persian rhetoric is less than the fingers of two hands. Another point that has brought the professor to such greatness is that there is no field in the Persian language and literature in which Kazzazi has yet to enter and work. He entered all these fields and came out proud. He has grace and virtue together. For Kazzazi, Iran is heaven; heaven means cultural and historical Iran in the world he created for himself. He has shown his taste in poetry and prose, and he currently writes poetry. He is the king of Iran and Persian language and Iranian culture. Kazzazi has lived more than his life.
Next in the ceremony to speak, Keykhosrow Dehghani, recited the Shahnameh. Then Mustafa Sultannejad, a researcher of Persian language and literature, spoke about the humor of Ustad Kazzazi, joked with Mirjalaluddin Kazzazi’s spoke about his memories of Prof Kazzazi.
Iran is truly a charming land.
In the continuation of the ceremony, after presenting a statue and a plaque of appreciation and gifts to Dr Kazzazi, one of the pioneer researchers in the Persian language and literature, started his speech with this sentence: “I do not know what to say in response to all the kindness, compassion and generosity that I am receiving here.
I have weighed my belief in my thoughts. This has made me think more deeply about this divine and unique land; this cradle of glory and wisdom; a land, as world scholars agree, that is unparalleled in civilization, culture and art, in all of the world and in all of history. I have measured my belief in myself. They have made me and inevitably made me think a little about this unique land of prosperity and wisdom, which, according to scholars, is unparalleled in culture and art in the world and is the most flourishing and brilliant cultural center of the world.
This land is genuinely beautiful. With a look into the field of Iranology, we can see that the scholars all over the world have devoted their lives to learning and introducing Iran. If I look at myself with justice, I humbly admit that I am not worthy of all this kindness and praise.
Wherever I travel in this country; even to distant villages, I receive warmth and kindness. This is the magic of Iran. Anyone who is attached to this land, is revered, not only by Iranians but also by the world scholars and the wise. I love Iran passionately, because I know a little bit about it. Everyone who knows Iran will fall in love with it. This spirited and enthusiastic gathering, though meant to commemorate me, but in fact it is a commemoration of Iran.
This wise professor of the Persian language and literature emphasized on protecting the environment, and said: “We are all criminals, without knowing it. The darkest and the most brutal type crime is to hurt our motherland and help in her destruction; this mother on whom our lives depend. Our mother Earth, who is turning forever in the universe, is being seriously hurt by us. The Earth is on the verge of complete destruction, and we see signs of it.
A glimpse into the life of Professor Kazzazi
Jalaleddin Kazzazi was born in Dey 1327 (29 January 1949) in the city of Kermanshah, into a highly cultured and learned family. He was addicted to reading and having a passionate attachment to Iran and its precious and unique culture, He took his lessons from his father, who was an open-minded, knowledgeable and people-loving man.
He spent his elementary school years at Kermanshah Alliance School. He learned the French language and literature in his primary school. He then went to Razi High School and after completing high school, went to Tehran to continue his Persian language and literature studies. He spent various educational courses in the Persian literature and humanities faculty of Tehran University. He received a doctorate in this field in 1370.
In addition to French, which he has been familiar with since childhood, he is also familiar with Spanish, German, and English. He has written dozens of books and nearly two hundred articles. He taught Iranology and the Persian language for some time in Spain. Professor Kazzazi occasionally writes poetry, and his stage name in poetry is “Zorvan.”
