For the first time this year, Tehran’s Vanak Square features a monument dedicated to Arash the Archer, Iran’s national hero.
The statue, representing Arash’s sacrifice and defense of Iran’s borders, was unveiled on June 21, 2025 (31 Khordad 1404 in the Persian calendar) at Vanak Square.
Although the statue was installed earlier on June 10, 2025 (20 Khordad), its unveiling ceremony was held without formalities due to the country’s wartime situation.
Weighing 6 tons and measuring 15 meters in height (including its base), this bronze statue is regarded as the largest of its kind in the Middle East. It was crafted by Mohammad Dehghan Mohammadi, son of the celebrated Iranian sculptor Iraj Mohammadi.
The Tirgan festival, observed on June 30 (13 Tir in the Zoroastrian calendar), commemorates Arash’s heroic sacrifice in marking and protecting Iran’s borders.
