Each year, the 25th of Ordibehesht on Iran’s official calendar marks Ferdowsi Commemoration Day—a time to honor the legendary poet who gifted Iran its national epic, the Shahnameh, and to celebrate the richness of the Persian language. Around this date, events and ceremonies take place across the country to reflect on Ferdowsi’s lasting cultural legacy.
This year, in Ordibehesht 1404 (May 2025), cities across Iran once again hosted a variety of cultural and academic events in tribute to Ferdowsi. What follows is a snapshot of some of the major commemorations held throughout the month.
Highlights from May 12 (23 Ordibehesht)
In the days leading up to Ferdowsi Commemoration Day, several events were held, including the launch of a notable international conference:
Opening of the Ferdowsi International Conference: Rethinking the Shahnameh’s Place in Today’s World
The Ferdowsi International Conference kicked off with the theme “Rediscovering the role of Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh in the contemporary world.” The event was organized by the Association of Cultural Heritage and Eminent Figures, in collaboration with the Khorasan Razavi Department of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Ferdowsi Cultural Center, the Governor’s Office, Mashhad Municipality, and the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization. It was held at Ferdowsi Hall in the Pardisan Hotel in Mashhad.
Speakers included Mahmoud Shalouei, head of the organizing association, and Seyed Hassan Hosseini, governor of Mashhad. The event also featured a presentation by Farzad Ghaemi, the conference’s scientific secretary, who offered an overview of the academic work and preparations that led to this year’s gathering.
The opening ceremony included artistic performances, traditional storytelling (naqali), live music, the unveiling of the conference’s collection of papers, and the release of a commemorative stamp marking the occasion.
Events on May 13 (24 Ordibehesht): Celebrating Ferdowsi and the Shahnameh
On May 13, various scholarly gatherings and cultural ceremonies deepened the tribute to Ferdowsi and his epic Shahnameh. Key events included:
Conference on the Shahnameh and Interdisciplinary Humanities Studies
The conference titled “Shahnameh and Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities” was hosted by the Iranian Association for Peace Studies, in partnership with the Ferdowsi Cultural Center of Mashhad, the Tabriz Shahnameh Reading Workshop, the House of Humanities Scholars, and Allameh Tabataba’i University.
Distinguished speakers featured Mohammad Jafar Yahaghi, director of Ferdowsi Cultural Center, Mashhad; Gholamreza Zakiani, dean of Literature at Allameh Tabataba’i University; Maqsood Farasatkhah, sociology professor at Shahid Beheshti University; Nematollah Fazeli, president of the Iranian Peace Studies Association; Mandana Tisheyar, professor of International Relations at Allameh Tabataba’i University; Yaman Hikmat Taghiabadi, psychologist and Shahnameh expert; Mehdi Fadaei Mehrabani, political science professor at the University of Tehran; and Javad Ranjbar Derakhshilar, founder of the Tabriz Shahnameh Reading Workshop.
Persian Language and Ferdowsi Commemoration at the National Library
A ceremony celebrating the Persian language and honoring Ferdowsi was held in the Qalam Hall of the National Library. Speakers included Seyed Abbas Salehi, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance; Gholamreza Amirkhani, head of the National Library and Archives Organization; Gholamali Haddad Adel, president of the Academy of Persian Language and Literature; Golrokhsar Safiava, an acclaimed poet from Tajikistan; and Nemat Ildirim, professor of Persian and translator of the Shahnameh into Istanbul Turkish.
Unveiling of the World’s Earliest Illustrated Lithographed Shahnamehs
At the Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi, the world’s first illustrated lithographed editions of the Shahnameh, preserved in the Razavi Treasury, were officially unveiled.
The library currently houses 55,000 lithographed volumes in Persian, Arabic, and Turkish. During the event, the second and third illustrated lithographed Shahnameh editions worldwide—printed in 1266 and 1267 AH (circa 1849-1850 CE) and also part of the Razavi collection—were presented. Mustafa Lal-Shatari, professor at Neyshabur University, delivered the keynote speech.
Events of May 15 (25 Ordibehesht): Ferdowsi and Shahnameh Commemoration Day
The much-anticipated 25th of Ordibehesht, recognized as Ferdowsi and Shahnameh Day, resonated throughout Iran in honor of the nation’s epic poet.
Ferdowsi Tribute Ceremony in Tus
The Ferdowsi Memorial Ceremony, organized by the Association of Cultural Heritage and Eminent Figures, gathered enthusiasts of Persian language and literature at Ferdowsi’s tomb in Tus. Mahmoud Shalouei, head of the association, read the President’s message to the audience.
The event featured speeches by Mohsen Esmaeili, the President’s Strategic and Parliamentary Deputy, and Gholamhossein Mozaffari, Governor of Khorasan Razavi. Musical performances by Mohammad Motamedi, traditional naqali storytelling, Shahnameh recitations, and zourkhaneh ceremonies enriched the ceremony.
Ferdowsi Commemoration by the Zoroastrian Association of Kerman
For several consecutive years, the Zoroastrian Association of Kerman, alongside the Zoroastrian Youth Commission, has hosted the Ferdowsi commemoration ceremony at the Rashid Nikbakhsh Festival Grounds. Sirous Nikbakhsh, chairman of the association, was among the event’s speakers. Kamand Kaviani also read the message from Behshid Barkhordar, the Iranian Zoroastrian representative in Parliament.
The Shahnameh Reading Group, directed by Mitra Khosravi, presented a coordinated performance of the epic tale “Siyavash’s Trial by Fire.” Dr. Salajeghe was another notable speaker at this memorable gathering.
Mohammad Ali Sajadi’s Art Exhibition
On the occasion of Ferdowsi Commemoration Day, a painting exhibition dedicated to the Shahnameh opened. Organized by Saeed Babavand with wall décor designed by Mahour Sajadi, the exhibition titled “Jam” showcased Mohammad Ali Sajadi’s works from May 15 (25 Ordibehesht) through May 23 (2 Khordad 1404) at the Bahar Gallery, Iranian Artists Forum.
“Golden Motif” Exhibition
The “Golden Motif” exhibition, highlighting Iranian and Shahnameh-themed art, was curated by artist and university professor Narges Safi. It took place on Ferdowsi Commemoration Day and Persian Language Day at Gallery No. 3 in the Arasbaran Cultural Center. A special feature of the exhibition was a live woodcarving demonstration of Ferdowsi’s bust by master craftsman Hossein Ali-Bakhshi.
Events on 28th Ordibehesht
Although Ferdowsi Commemoration Day had passed, various gatherings continued across Iran to honor the poet:
Commemoration of Ferdowsi and Khayyam at Shiraz University’s Faculty of Science
A ceremony celebrating the legacy of Ferdowsi and Khayyam was held at Shiraz University’s Faculty of Science, featuring speeches by Dr. Saeed Hessampour and Dr. Mahmoud Rezaei Dashtarjeneh, both members of the university’s faculty. The event also included traditional storytelling (naqali), recitations of Khayyam’s poetry, and musical performances.
Inauguration of the Ferdowsi Cultural Center in Tehran
The Ferdowsi Cultural Center in Tehran officially opened with the attendance of Mohammad Jafar Yahaghi, director of Ferdowsi Cultural Centers, and Gholamreza Zakiani, dean of the Faculty of Literature at Allameh Tabataba’i University, along with several literature professors. The center was established by the Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languages at Allameh Tabataba’i University, with Javad Ranjbar Derakhshiler appointed as its director.
These Ferdowsi Cultural Centers, the first of which was founded in Mashhad in 2005 through the efforts of Dr. Yahaghi, focus on promoting the Shahnameh and advancing education and research related to the epic.
Events on 31st Ordibehesht
Additional commemorations in late Ordibehesht included:
Shahnameh and the glory of the mausoleum
A scholarly symposium titled “Shahnameh and the glory of the mausoleum was held to explore national identity as expressed in epic literature and Iranian funerary architecture. This session, the first in the “Iranology Days” series, featured presentations by Abbas Safaei Mehr and Sam Guivrad. The event revisited the cultural and historical importance of Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh and celebrated the grandeur of Ferdowsi’s mausoleum as a symbol of national reverence for literary and cultural heritage.
Events on 1 Khordad
The beginning of Khordad continued to be dedicated to honoring Ferdowsi and the Shahnameh:
Ferdowsi Commemoration by the Paliz Institute of Kashan
The 20th annual Ferdowsi commemoration ceremony, organized by the Paliz Institute of Culture and Wisdom, took place on the 1st and 2nd of Khordad at Kashan University and Aran va Bidgol. The first day featured speeches by Dr. Alireza Ghiyamati, Engineer Babak Salamati, and Farahmand Farzanegan, while Dr. Hossein ShirMohammadi and Dr. Alireza Ghiyamati spoke on the second day. The event at Kashan University opened with Narges Hamzei as the host and secretary of the ceremony, followed by welcoming remarks from Masoud Farzanegan, director of the Paliz Institute, who expressed his gratitude to the attending scholars.
Events on 3 Khordad
Remembrances of Ferdowsi and gatherings of Shahnameh enthusiasts continued into the 3rd of Khordad:
Examining Iranian-Armenian Cultural Connections with Emphasis on the Shahnameh
A session titled “Ferdowsi and the Shahnameh in Armenian Culture and Literature” was held, featuring a lecture by Andranik Simoni, faculty member and head of the Armenian Language and Literature Department at Islamic Azad University. The session highlighted Armenian literary figures and thinkers from past centuries who engaged with Ferdowsi and the Shahnameh and celebrated the epic’s magnificence in their works. It also reviewed various Armenian translations of the Shahnameh. This event was held in the conference hall of the Academic Publishing Center.
Through these and many other events not detailed here, the Ferdowsi and Shahnameh commemorations were celebrated with joy and enthusiasm. Iranians across the country participated in numerous gatherings, conferences, lectures, exhibitions, and unveilings throughout the delightful month of Ordibehesht.
