In the 36th session about the history of Yazd, during unveiling the book of documents of the Zoroastrian Jahanian Family, Mobed Dr. Mehraban Pouladi stressed the importance of words and concepts in Iranian culture, underscoring that they must be chosen with care and awareness. He emphasized the need to praise God and protect nature, stating: “Words have the power to make a deep impact on people’s lives.”
Pouladi, president of the Zoroastrian Mobeds’ Association, mentioned the word “sacrifice,” noting, “This word embodies selflessness and dedication. In 2017, some university professors examined the significance of this word in our society and highlighted that Yazd, as a cultural hub, deserves recognition.”
He also referred to the concept of “cheap death” and remarked, “We must understand words and use them appropriately. Words and concepts can change lives within a society, so we must give this matter careful attention.”
The founder of the Mehrban Pouladi Museum of Documents and Manuscripts, Pouladi, praised Yazd as a center of culture and education, saying, “This city is the land of free thought and learning. We must focus on building hospitals and educational institutions to ensure the well-being of others. Educating our youth must be our top priority.”
He concluded with a call for unity, stating: “We must not allow prejudice to hinder progress and solidarity between Zoroastrians and Muslims. Today, we stand together, and this collaboration can strengthen our shared culture and history. We must learn from each other’s experiences and work together to create a better future.”
Mehrban Pouladi highlighted the challenges in gathering historical Zoroastrian documents, stating, “Many of these documents are not easily accessible due to the inward-focused nature of the Zoroastrian community. We must make an effort to collect these records and present them to researchers. It is our responsibility to preserve our written and historical heritage, and this must be pursued diligently.”
He expressed optimism that, through collaboration and mutual support from all religions, we can continue advancing in the cultural and educational realms.
Pouladi also urged everyone present to play an active role in preserving and promoting this invaluable cultural legacy, stressing the importance of education. He emphasized that this mission requires collective effort and shared thinking to create a brighter future for future generations.
The unveiling of the book Documents of the Zoroastrian Jahanian Family took place during the 36th session of the History of Yazd. The event, organized by the National Archives and Library of Yazd Province, was held on Wednesday, 17th Ordibehesht 1404, at the Central Library of Yazd. The session featured opening remarks by Saeed Zarei, Director of the National Archives and Library of Yazd, as well as speeches by Mobed Dr. Mehrban Pouladi, Founder of the Mehrban Poulad Museum of Documents and Manuscripts in Yazd and President of the Iranian Mobeds’ Association, Dr. Mehdi Vazini Afzal, a researcher at Goethe University Frankfurt and faculty member at Jiroft University, and Spenta Niknam, former member of the Yazd City Council. Additionally, a video message from Jamshid Varza, grandson of the Shah-Jahan family, was also shown at the event.
In this session, the activities of Zoroastrian trade houses in Yazd during the Qajar era were explored, with a particular focus on archival documents. The event concluded with the unveiling of the book of documents of the Zoroastrian Jahanian Family, which delves into the political, commercial, and financial correspondence of the Jahanian trade house in the Qajar period. Authored by Dr. Mehdi Vazini Afzal and Jamshid Varza, the book was launched in the presence of scholars, prominent figures, writers, and members of the Zoroastrian community of Yazd.
The session emphasized the significance of understanding Zoroastrian history and culture, as well as their role in the economic and social development of Iran. It also addressed the challenges involved in gathering and preserving historical documents, stressing the importance of safeguarding this invaluable cultural heritage.
