The book launch ceremony for "Kamand-e Zolf" (The Lasso of Tresses), a selection of poems by Zulfiya Atoyi, the prominent Tajik people's poet, was held on June 9, 2026, at the ECO Cultural Institute in Tehran, with the presence of diplomats, literary figures, and artists.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Mohammad Hassan, President of the ECO Cultural Institute, while welcoming the guests, described this work as a vessel filled with passion and delicate sweetness, and stating: "In the pages of this book, we encounter an intimate expression of feminine love, intertwined with themes such as homeland, suffering, hope, and the resilience of ordinary people. Reading this collection is like walking down a corridor where every verse lights a lamp, every poem places a hand on the human shoulder, and every word depicts the woman standing in the world with a stature of light."
Next, the message from Mrs. Matlubakhon Sattoriyon, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan, was read. Part of the message stated: "The publication of Zulfiya Atoyi’s poems in the Persian script, with the initiative and support of the ECO Cultural Institute, is an important step in consolidating literary relations between the countries of the region and introducing Tajikistan’s literary heritage to Persian speakers. The Ministry of Culture of Tajikistan evaluates this cultural action as a valuable step toward expanding cultural cooperation and strengthening the shared cultural space among ECO member states."
Then, Dr.Nizomiddin Zohidi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to Tehran, while emphasizing the exalted status of Zulfiya Atoyi in contemporary literature, stated that this prominent poet has played a decisive role through her active and continuous presence in the arena of poetry and ghazals, and has made a significant contribution to the growth and promotion of Tajik literature through the creation of valuable and influential works; he further added, regarding the poet's skill in utilizing the heritage of predecessors: "Zulfiya Atoyi, with her precise knowledge and deep insight into the masters of Persian poetry and literature, has given a fresh manifestation to this precious heritage in her works."
In another part of the ceremony, a video message from Dr. Ali-Mohammadi Khorasani, a Tajik researcher and author of the book’s foreword, was broadcast. He described Zulfiya Atoyi’s writing style as candid, clear, simple, and fluent, adding: "In Atoyi’s poetry, the intersection of global and European poetic approaches with the tradition of Persian poetry is clearly evident, which is a hallmark feature of her works."
Also, Dr. Majid Asadi, director of "Nashr-e Naghz" publications and an Iranian scholar of Tajik studies, emphasized while evaluating the poet's literary status: "Zulfiya Atoyi is one of the most prominent poets of Tajikistan who has been able to reflect her pains and aspirations in the best possible way in her poetry."
At the end of this ceremony, which was moderated by Mr. Shah Mansoor Shahmirza, Cultural Expert at the ECO Cultural Institute, Zulfiya Atoyi, in a video message, while expressing her gratitude to the ECO Cultural Institute for publishing this work, recited a number of her poems for the attendees.
It is noteworthy that the book "Kamand-e Zolf" was published with the proposal of the Ministry of Culture of Tajikistan, by the "ECO Cultural Institute Publications" in collaboration with "Aroon Publications" in Tehran, and in the Persian script. This 480-page work has been published in an edition of 500 copies and is available to enthusiasts of Persian literature.