Report on the Presence of Iran’s Cultural Attaché at Sri Lanka National Radio

On Wednesday, April 22, 2026 (corresponding to Ordibehesht 2, 1405), the Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran attended the studio of Sri Lanka National Radio to take part in a program titled “Saadi and Our World.” The program was produced on the occasion of Saadi Day (April 21) with the aim of introducing the various dimensions of the life, thought, and works of the eminent Persian poet Sheikh Saadi Shirazi, as well as explaining his position in global culture and literature.

During the program, Ali Kebriaei-Zadeh, Cultural Attaché, presented a comprehensive overview of Saadi’s life and times, and analyzed his status as one of the most prominent thinkers and literary figures in world history. He emphasized that Saadi’s works—particularly his two masterpieces, Golestan and Bustan—constitute a rich treasury of wisdom, human ethics, and social teachings.

Referring to the literary and intellectual significance of these two works, he noted that while Saadi, in Golestan, describes human beings and the world as they are, in Bustan he portrays an ideal world as it ought to be. In both works—Golestan, a blend of prose and poetry, and Bustan, composed entirely in verse—Saadi addresses themes such as justice, love, benevolence, and moral education, underscoring the universal relevance of his thought.

The Cultural Attaché further illustrated, through selected anecdotes and poems by Saadi, how these ideas continue to inspire contemporary audiences.

The program, “Saadi and Our World,” provided an opportunity to introduce Iran’s rich cultural and literary heritage to Sri Lankan audiences and highlighted the importance of cultural exchange as an effective platform for strengthening ties between nations.