Iran launches int’l medal to honor Ferdowsi experts

Iran has established an international medal to honor Ferdowsi experts from all over the world.

According to a Monday statement by the Iranian Society of Cultural Works and Luminaries (ISCWL), the medal has been designed to be granted to experts with distinguished studies on Hakim Abul-Qasem Ferdowsi Tusi, one of the most renowned Persian poets whose magnum opus ‘Shahnameh’ revived Persian Language.

The first medal is set to be awarded on Ferdowsi Day in 2024, ISCWL director Mahmoud Shaloui said on Sunday during a press conference held to brief the media about the programs the society designed to celebrate the upcoming Ferdowsi Day, which will fall on May 15, 2023.

“Numerous priceless studies on Ferdowsi and the Shahnameh are being carried out worldwide every year,” he noted and added, “All the works promoting the Persian language and culture will be acknowledged by the granting of financial support.”

Ferdowsi is famed as one of the most influential figures in Persian literature, and his name will shine throughout history due to his great effort to save the language.  

Ferdowsi’s ‘Shahnameh’, which is the world’s longest epic poem created by a single poet, has been translated into many languages and has influenced literary works in other countries.

Ferdowsi’s masterpiece covers all aspects of humanity, calling all people to the highest human status.

‘Shahnameh’, meaning “The book of kings”, took 30 years to be written, which is twice as long as Homer’s ‘Iliad’ and ‘Odyssey’ combined.

The book about Persian kings, written entirely in Persian, played a key role in the revival of this language and made a significant contribution to the development of Persian literature.

MM/FM