Iran marks UNESCO-listed national day

Iran commemorates National Day of UNESCO-inscribed “Zoorkhaneh and Pahlevani rituals” on Wednesday

On the Persian calendar, July 7 is observed as National Day of "Zoorkhaneh and Pahlevani rituals" which is a name inscribed by UNESCO in 2010 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The concept refers to an Iranian martial art taking place in a “Zoorkhane,'' a sacred domed structure with an octagonal sunken arena and audience seats.

The rituals convert ordinary people into noble figures with desirable traits that everyone envies to embody.

Although few and far in 2017, Zoorkhanehs in Iran still run and heroes are still born and trained to observe the traits of greatness.

AG/AG