The scientific conference entitled “Robia Balkhi , « A Distinguished Figure of Samanid-Era », was held on August 26, 2026, at the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan in Tehran, with the presence of a group of diplomats, embassadors, heads of cultural institutions and associations, and prominent researchers in the field of Persian language and literature ,to examine her personality dimensions, her literary standing as the first female poet in Persian literature, and the history of “Robia studies.”
At the opening of the conference, H.E. Dr. Nizomiddin Zohidi, Ambassador of Tajikistan to Iran, while welcoming the guests, emphasized in his speech the process of state-building and independence in Tajikistan aimed at preserving past heritage and honoring literary luminaries. He described these measures as initiatives of the President of Tajikistan, pointing to the publication of books such as the Holy Quran and the Shahnameh in high circulation and their distribution among Tajik families with the aim of strengthening national and religious identity and moving away from superstitions. The Ambassador of Tajikistan also highlighted the attention given to ancient and historical centers and sites such as Khatlon, Khujand, Kulyab, and Hisor as a path toward raising public awareness and supporting national capital and heritage, and he proposed that a day be designated in the calendar of Persian-speaking countries in honor of Robia, and that an international Robia award be established to celebrate female Persian-speaking poets, so that Robia, as part of the shared civilizational heritage, can connect cultures beyond political borders.
Subsequently, H.E. Dr. Mohammad Hassan, President of the ECO Cultural Institute, spoke about the position of Robia Balkhi within the broader expanse of shared culture and civilization. He emphasized the importance of honoring this prominent poet as a reflection of the civilizational sphere, noting that Robia’s heritage is a “heritage of voices” preserved through written history, and that this valuable heritage must be brought to a wider audience through republication, translation of works, and expanded cooperation among cultural institutions and libraries regarding the role of women in history, while also paying attention to written heritage.
Following this, Dr. Mahmoud Shalouei, Head of the Society for the Appreciation of Cultural Works and Dignitaries of Iran, addressed the theme of love in his speech, stating that love equals purity and that a true lover must place their life in the service of sincerity; just as we encounter a figure like Robia in this land during the Samanid era, who flourished and surrendered her soul. He added that whoever falls in love and keeps their love pure and hidden will not be devoid of love or distanced from its truth.
In other parts of the conference, Prof. Matluba Mirzoyunus, Professor at Khujand State University, Tajikistan, spoke about the 70-year trajectory of Robia studies and published works. Additionally, Prof. Badriddin Maqsudov, Professor at the National University of Tajikistan, analyzed and examined the verses attributed to Robia. Dr. Maryam Hosseini, Head of the Literature Department at the Academy of Persian Language and Literature, discussed the mystical reading of Robia’s poetry and life, as well as the reflection of her name in the oldest literary sources. Dr. Rahangiz Karochi, writer and researcher of Persian women’s poetry, also spoke about Robia as the first female and activist voice in Persian poetry and the persistence of her name in collective memory. In the concluding part, Shohmansuri Shohmirzo, poet and literary scholar, recited the masnavi "Resurrection of the Word" in commemoration of Robia Balkhi.