Millennium after Shahnameh's Composition

Registering  the ceremony for the first Millennium after Shahnameh's composition in the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List has long been followed in the country's cultural and research circles. This ceremony is an occasion that was proposed by the Ferdowsi Foundation to be celebrated on its 1,000th anniversary of composition. 
Shahnameh, an epic masterpiece of Persian language, is the work of Hakim Abolqasem Ferdowsi, one of the world's greatest poets. The Shahnameh is a description of the Iranian conquests, victories, defeats and failures from the earliest times to the overthrow of the Sassanid dynasty.

Ferdowsi Tomb in Toos, Mashhad

Gems of Persian poetry

Persian literature is the jewel of Persian culture. It has profoundly influenced the literature of Ottoman Turkey, Muslim India and Turkic Central Asia. Famous poets such as Ferdowsi,  Hafez, Saadi, and Rumi and several others are an intimate part of the life of every Iranian. Persian poetry is the most beautiful poetry in the world and four unique types of poetry such as "epic", the "ghasideh" a purpose poem, the "masnavi" a narrative poem, and the "ghazal" a lyrical poem are the best examples of Persian poets.

Ferdowsi is the author of the Shahnameh, one of the greatest and best-known Persian poets who was born in Khorasan in a village near Tous in 935 A.D. His monumental work is an epic poem about the heroes of ancient Persia. Shahnameh is the most popular and influential national epic in Iran and other Persian speaking nations.

Ferdowsi tomb, Toos,Iran

Saadi was born in 1207. He studied in the famous schools of Baghdad and Nezamiyyeh. ‘Bustan’ and Golestan are two of his most famous masterpieces. Bustan was written in verse and includes moral tips, gives advice on how to live and discusses politics and science. His other book, 'Golestan' is a masterpiece in prose in which Saadi speaks of his experiences during his journeys.  One of his particular poems, Bani Adam, became a motto and inscribed on the gate of the United Nations building entrance. After years of traveling, Saadi lived the rest of his life in Shiraz and died in 1291 in the same place where his mausoleum now stands

 

Saadi Tomb, Shiraz,Iran

Hafez, born 1320A.D. in Shiraz was the greatest Sufi master and poet in Persian history.  His poetry, called Gazal, is full of love, mysticism, and philosophy.  Hafez was buried in Shiraz in his private resistance and his tomb is surrounded by a beautiful garden. Visiting Hafez’s tomb is a pilgrimage for all Iranians.

Hafez Tomb, Shiraz, Iran

Strolling along Karim Khan Citadel in Shiraz

While getting ready to travel to Iran, you will notice there are lots of authentic landmarks and monuments to visit in each part of the nation. Shiraz is also an antiquated city with several ancient attractions still remaining in good conditions. The Citadel of Karimkhan, one of the most magnificent fortresses in Iran, is a remarkable example of the 18th century combination of two military and residential architectures. The most important building of Zand dynasty is a square-shaped citadel located in the center of Shiraz. It was built as part of a complex and is named after Karim Khan, and served as his living quarters.  It has four circular towers on the corners, one of which on the southeastern side has a distinctive slope. The citadel is spread over 5 hectares and the height of each tower is 14 meters. There is a large tile depicting the scene of killing of the white devil by Rostam, a hero of Shahnameh, at the entrance gateway of the citadel. Actually, the ornamented decoration of building is typical of that era. At times, the citadel was used as a prison. Today, it is a museum operated by Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization. While traveling in Shiraz, do not hesitate to offer yourself this masterpiece of architecture which is registered as a National heritage site.

Karim Khan Citedal in Shiraz

The magical sound of Dotar.

The ancient land of Khurasan (also spelled Khorasan) covering eastern Iran is home to a big share of Iranian literature, art and culture. Many of great Iranian poets like Ferdowsi, Khayam and Mehdi Akhavan Sales, who is a legendary contemporary poet in Iran, have been grown in the sunny land of Khurasan. Besides literature and poetry, Khurasan is the provenance of fabulous folkloric music. Listening to lullabies and traditional pieces of music in Khurasan is one of those unique experiences that any traveler should be lucky to have while traveling in Iran.

Having traveled through the time since thousands of years ago, Dotar (Dutar) is the most fabulous instrument of Khurasani music which is played by the local music masters like Haj Ghorban Suleimani in different cities of Khurasan province including Torbat e Jaam, Neishabour, Ghouchan, Shirvan and etc. The deep and magical sound of Dotar and folkloric songs including old mythical stories sang by vocal masters with their strong and emotional voice, offers the unforgettable sound of Khurasani music which is the oral conveyor of Iranian culture.