"Iranian Literary Heritage and Ferdowsi" international conference held at YSU

An international conference titled "Iranian Literary Heritage and Ferdowsi" was held through a joint initiative of the Chair of Iranian Studies at Yerevan State University and the Cultural Center of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Armenia. The conference was dedicated to the world-renowned poet Ferdowsi and the International Day of Persian Literature.

The international workshop, held at the Ferdowsi Hall of the YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies, brought together Armenian and Iranian scholars, diplomats, and students. Discussions focused on Iran's rich artistic heritage and the epic masterpiece Shahnameh, one of the greatest works of world literature.

Speakers addressed a wide range of fundamental issues related to the epic, including its historical and cultural significance, national identity, its reflection of heroic ideals and moral values, and the Shahnameh's influence on the development of Eastern literary and artistic thought. Participants also discussed the traditions of Persian epic poetry, the symbolic meaning of its characters, stylistic and linguistic features, and the role of the Shahnameh in regional cultural interactions.

Key highlights

Dean of the YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies, Professor Ruben Melkonyan, and Professor Gurgen Melikyan from the Chair of Iranian Studies emphasized the importance of such academic platforms in strengthening Armenian-Iranian cultural and academic ties.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia Khalil Shirgholami presented Ferdowsi's influence on the Iranian epic tradition within a broader social context.

Mohammad Asadi Movahed, Head of the Cultural Center of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Armenia, described Ferdowsi not only as a great poet, but also as a devoted guardian of the Persian language, a symbol of national identity, and a messenger of wisdom. He stressed that through his works, Ferdowsi preserved the historical memory of his people, passing on wisdom and enduring moral values to future generations. According to him, Ferdowsi's Shahnameh has served for centuries as a unique guide to patriotism, justice, and human dignity.

Head of the YSU Chair of Iranian Studies, Professor Vardan Voskanyan, presented new scholarly observations on the lexical features of the Shahnameh, offering a multilayered linguistic and stylistic analysis.

Geography of scholarly discussions

Within the context of cultural interactions among regional peoples, speakers also addressed the role of the Shahnameh. Associate Professor Artyom Tonoyan from the Chair of Iranian Studies, emphasizing the significance of the occasion, spoke about "Shahnameh"-inspired naming traditions in Azerbaijan and the Iranian substrata in the identity of the population of Eastern Transcaucasia. Associate Professor Tereza Amryan discussed the images of Iranian kings and heroes in Kurdish narratives about Rostam Zal.

The bilingual conference, held in Armenian and Persian, concluded with poetry recitations and musical performances.