The commemoration of Master Shahriar, on the occasion of Persian Poetry and Literature Day, titled “Timeless Poems,” was held yesterday evening, September 19, 2024, at the Sharbatoğlu Historic House, home of the Azerbaijan Studies Foundation in East Azerbaijan. This event was organized by the Public Relations Society of East Azerbaijan (the provincial representative of the Iranian Public Relations Society) in collaboration with the Azerbaijan Studies Foundation of East Azerbaijan, and was attended by a gathering of literary and academic figures from across the country.

A standout feature of the ceremony was the attendance of a group of international students from the University of Tabriz, hailing from Georgia and Armenia. Their presence symbolized the international respect and admiration for Persian culture and literature, particularly the poetry of Master Shahriar.

Prominent speakers at the event included Dr. Ali-Asghar She’rdoost, Dr. Taheri Khosroshahi, Dr. Abolfazl Alimohammadi, Professor Nassereddin Hassanzadeh, Dr. Abdollah Bagheri Hamidi, Dr. Saeed Karimi, and Khosrow Rafiei (President of the Iranian Public Relations Society, who joined the event online).

During the event, Amirhossein Soleimani, who ranked first in the national mathematics university entrance exam of 2024, was honored as one of the country’s academic elites. Additionally, the speakers were recognized by the Public Relations Society of East Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Studies Foundation.

One of the significant highlights of the event was the unveiling of several rare works and original manuscripts of Master Shahriar, presented by Professor Nassereddin Hassanzadeh. Among these was the first handwritten book of Master Shahriar, of which only two copies exist. This unveiling was met with great enthusiasm from the audience, adding to the cultural and literary significance of the event.

On the sidelines of the ceremony, Ebrahim Molaei, President of the Public Relations Society of East Azerbaijan, emphasized the importance of organizing such events, stating: “The role of public relations is not solely limited to information dissemination and media relations. Today, social responsibility forms a crucial part of public relations duties. Events such as cultural commemorations or addressing environmental issues like water and soil aim to raise public awareness and strengthen social solidarity.”

He added: “The Public Relations Society seeks to enhance knowledge and promote best professional practices, with the goal of fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the role of public relations in today’s society.”

The “Timeless Poems” ceremony not only served as a tribute to Master Shahriar but also acted as a cultural bridge between domestic and international students and those passionate about Persian literature. This event provided an opportunity to showcase Persian poetry and literature as one of the key pillars of Iranian identity on an international level.