Message from the Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO on the Occasion of the Fifth Shahmirzad Culture and Arts Festival

At the opening ceremony of the festival, a message from Dr. Hassan Fartousi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, was read aloud. In his message, emphasizing Shahmirzad’s civilizational significance within the context of Iranian culture, he proposed the establishment of the “Safa Literary and Cultural Award.”

The full text of Dr. Hassan Fartousi’s message is as follows:

In the Name of God

The steadfast and fruitful tree of the land of Iran has continued to grow and flourish over thousands of years. This ancient, majestic and verdant tree has endured countless ups and downs, hardships, joys and sorrows. Yet, thanks to its deep and remarkable roots, it has always emerged from the most difficult and challenging junctures of history with its head held high. The roots of this eternal tree are the peoples, cultures, and enduring customs and traditions of this sacred and blessed land.

The region and territory of the “ancient garden city of Shahmirzad” is undoubtedly one of the deeply intertwined, vibrant and vital roots of this tree that has stood for thousands of years.

Shahmirzad embodies the bond between two divine blessings: the lushness of nature and the grace of culture and literature.

In shaping the verdant geography and climate of this region, the supreme Artist of existence has bestowed unparalleled scenes upon its people: thousand-year-old gardens in a multitude of colours, flowing streams and diverse fruits that bring to mind the Garden of Paradise. As Saadi, may God have mercy on him, has said:

A garden where crystal-clear streams flow,
And birds sing in measured, melodious tones;

One filled with colourful tulips,
The other laden with a variety of fruits;

Beneath its trees, the breeze has spread
A carpet of many hues.

It is this very generosity of the Almighty in enriching the lives of the people of this land that makes our responsibility, as citizens and administrators of this region, all the more significant in protecting and safeguarding this exceptional treasure. Every tree felled, every garden or orchard destroyed, and every lifeless concrete tower erected inflicts a severe wound on the beautiful environment and magnificent landscape of this ancient garden city.

The second blessing of this land, however, lies in the presence of its learned and distinguished people, each of whom has played a significant role, in their respective fields, in advancing knowledge and scholarship in Iran.

As Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, I am honoured to announce that the first Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, appointed in 1946, was the late Professor Seyed Zabihollah Safa Shahmirzadi. He ably carried out key responsibilities in this capacity for at least three decades. Moreover, through writing, authoring and editing more than 30 major reference works on the history of Iranian literature; which continue to be widely consulted by postgraduate students at universities across the country. He made a substantial contribution to the production and dissemination of knowledge, one of the core objectives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

In light of this, I would like to propose to the esteemed officials and senior administrators of Semnan Province and the beautiful city of Shahmirzad that, following careful assessment and a thorough feasibility study, they place on their agenda the necessary steps towards establishing the Safa Literary and Cultural Award, with the aim of promoting and advancing the humanities and the cultural and civilizational dimensions of Islamic Iran. I also invite them to report on the progress of this initiative and its implementation within an appropriate timeframe to the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO.

The Iranian National Commission for UNESCO has always supported constructive initiatives in the fields of education, science and culture.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the esteemed Governor, Mr. Kolivand; the respected Chair of the City Council, Mr. Nejabat; the honourable Mayor, Mr. Rezaei; and all those involved in the city of welcoming and gracious Shahmirzad for organizing this magnificent celebration, which recalls the ancient heritage and ancestral identity of the people of this verdant and pristine region. I hope to have the pleasure of joining you, the dear people of Shahmirzad, in person in the near future.

I bid farewell to you all with these verses by Ferdowsi, the sage of Tus:

Strive to do good and let goodness bear fruit;
When you encounter winter, bring forth spring.

Through goodness, you shall attain Paradise;
Great is the one who sowed no seed but goodness.

Hassan Fartousi
Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO