The event titled 'Tajikistan Night' was held by ECI in collaboration with Niavaran Cultural Center and Embassy of Tajikistan in Tehran and was attended by ambassadors and diplomats residing in Tehran as well as a group of poets and intellectuals.
According to ECI news, at the event Dr. Mazaheri delivered a speech saying that ages-old traditions such as Yalda and Nowruz along with religious feasts has created a profound bond among the peoples of the region.
The ECI president further said: "the peoples of this peace loving country, along with other peoples of the ECO region, have ever commemorated this event and presented this common tradition, highlighting the value of life in harmony with nature, to the world. The event 'Tajikistan Night' is the manifestation of deep ties existing among the peoples of the region particularly those Persian speakers. Having planned to hold the cultural nights of other ECO countries, we hope to be able to soon organize 'Afghanistan Night' at this international organization".
Elsewhere at the event, Buribayev, the charge de affairs of the Tajikistan embassy in Tehran talked about his country's literature highlighting the role of Sotim Ulughzoda whose works could be considered in level as other world literary masterpieces. He further praised ECI for publishing his work in Persian script and thus enabling the Persian readers become acquainted with the role and status of this prominent scholar of Tajikistan. Buribayev also pointed out to the publication of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh in two volumes in prose by Sotim Ulughzoda, and so, making his name immortal in the minds and souls of all Tajiks and Iranians. Ali Asghar Sherdoost, Iran's ex-ambassador to Tajikistan, and Seyed Abbas Sajjadi, the director of Niavaran Cultural Center, were other speakers of the event.
Launching of the book 'Sotim Ulughzoda and National Culture' published by ECO Cultural Institute was another part of the event. The book has been written by the contemporary Tajik Scholar, Sirajuddin Imomali, translated into Persian for the first time by Shahmansoor Shahmirza, Tajikistan Cultural scholar and edited by Zahra Aslani. The book released with the introduction of Dr. Mohammad Mahdi Mazaheri, the ECI president, is important not only in terms of cultural value but also the validity of its content and the time of its writing and publication and stands as a firm document on the history of Tajikistan's literature.
The event concluded with reciting of poems by Iranian and Tajik poets, screening of the biography movie of Sotim Ulughzoda and music performance by 'Nava-ye Mellal' group. Moreover, the participants paid a visit to the photo exhibition of Tajikistan luminaries and handicrafts.