On the occasion of the anniversary of the commemoration of Hakim Abolqasem Ferdowsi and in preservation of the Persian language, a special event was organized by the Cultural Section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Manila in collaboration with the Department of Linguistics at the University of the Philippines. As part of the program, the documentary"Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh"by Abdolreza Rahmani-Nasab (with English subtitles) was screened for Persian language learners at the university.

The event took place on Thursday in the Persian language class, with the presence of Mr. Abolghasemi, the Cultural Counselor of Iran. He began his remarks by paying tribute to Ferdowsi and the Persian language, stating:“Persian is one of the world’s oldest languages, with roots tracing back thousands of years before Christ. It is not only a means of daily communication but also a language of culture and literature, long recognized around the world.”

He continued: “Today, we have gathered to honor one of the greatest figures of Iranian culture and literature—Hakim Abolqasem Ferdowsi, a poet who breathed new life into the Persian language. Ferdowsi was not merely a poet; he was a guardian of the Iranian language and culture.At a time when Persian faced the threat of extinction and forgetfulness, Ferdowsi fortified its foundation through his creation of theShahnameh. If we speak and write in Persian today, we owe much of that to Ferdowsi.”

He emphasized that the significance of Persian lies not only in its past, but also in its richness, profound thought, and proud history.

“Persian is the language of Hafez, Saadi, Rumi, and Ferdowsi—a language that introduces the human soul to beauty, ethics, and wisdom. The great poets and literary figures of Persian have left a profound impact on the cultural fabric of the world.You, dear students in the Philippines who are learning Persian, are not merely acquiring a language—you are entering a world of meaning, culture, literature, and history. Your efforts are a continuation of the path Ferdowsi began.”

He expressed hope that, with their dedication, Persian would be more widely heard and better understood across the Philippines, remaining alive and vibrant.

“May the memory of Ferdowsi be honored, and may the Persian language endure.”

Following the speech, the documentary"Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh", directed by Abdolreza Rahmani-Nasab and produced in collaboration with the Cultural Affairs Office of Mashhad Municipality—and translated and subtitled in English through the efforts of the Department of Media Cooperation and Cyberspace—was shown to the students. It was announced that, as part of their final exam, students would be asked to write a brief reflection on the documentary.