Iran Heritage Foundation

In Memory of Marjane Satrapi (1969–2026)
The Iran Heritage Foundation is deeply saddened by the passing of Marjane Satrapi, the acclaimed Iranian-born author, artist, filmmaker, and cultural commentator whose work introduced millions around the world to the richness and complexity of the Iranian experience.

Born in Rasht and raised in Tehran, Satrapi became one of the most influential Iranian cultural figures of her generation. Her groundbreaking graphic memoir ‘Persepolis’ offered a deeply personal account of growing up during a period of profound change in Iran and became an international literary landmark. Through her writing and art, she brought Iranian stories, history, and perspectives to audiences far beyond Iran's borders.

Satrapi's achievement lay not only in her artistic talent, but also in her ability to illuminate universal themes of identity, family, memory, and resilience through the lens of her Iranian heritage. At a time when public understanding of Iran was often shaped by politics and headlines, she presented a more nuanced and deeply human portrait of Iranian society.

As an organisation dedicated to celebrating and preserving the heritage, arts, and culture of Iran, the Iran Heritage Foundation recognises Marjane Satrapi's extraordinary contribution to the global appreciation of Iranian culture. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and admirers around the world.

Her legacy will endure through the generations she inspired and the stories she leaves behind.

Image via Literary Arts.



The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

Khordadgan is an ancient Iranian festival celebrating fertility, water and nature. It honours the female divinity Khordad, who embodies wholeness, health and water.

Rooted in Zoroastrian tradition, the festival falls on the 6th day of the month of Khordad. Although largely forgotten elsewhere for over a thousand years, it has survived uniquely in the village of Sian (near Isfahan), where it is now called Shast-Sheshi - meaning "sixty-six" - because the festivities begin sixty-six days after Norouz.

Rituals centre around the element of water, focusing on purification, health and joy.
- Sacred Immersion. The most famous rite is immersion in a pool or spring. Historically, attendees bathed in the Shah Chashme ("King's Spring") to receive blessings.
- Visiting Sacred Sites. Pilgrimages to nearby caves and grottos - such as the "Gate of Paradise" and the "Cave of Forty Girls" - are linked to Khordad's role as a female protector.
- Social Joy. The festival is a time of celebration and gift-giving - especially to brides - and the village comes alive as a bustling fair.

The Iran Heritage Foundation wishes you a joyful Khordadgan🌾

Images via Farhadbahr, Starfan, Tehran Times, Alireza Alamdar, Jalal Sepehr, OrienTrips, Amir Pashaei



The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

Golabgiri, meaning "making rosewater", is a 1,000-year-old festival held annually from mid-May to mid-June in Kashan which honours Iran’s national flower: the Damask Rose - known locally as the Mohammadi Rose.

Attracting up to two million visitors each year and grown in countless gardens across the country, the flower reaches full bloom in this period, transforming the arid desert landscape into a fragrant sea of pink, while its essence is extracted using a traditional evaporation system.

Roses have been cultivated in Iran since at least the 6th century BC, when Achaemenid kings (550–330 BC) grew them in their paradise-like gardens. By the 10th century AD, commercial rosewater distillation (golab) had become an established practice. In the 11th century, the Persian polymath Ibn-Sina (c. 980-1037 AD) perfected steam distillation to extract rose essential oils for medicinal and aromatic use - a refinement that would influence perfumery and pharmacology for centuries to come.

By the 16th century, Kashan had emerged as a major centre for rosewater distillation, exporting its products to regions including present-day Turkey and Bulgaria. The Golabgiri festival honours this legacy: Kashan still practices the oldest traditional methods of rosewater production, even as other cities have turned to modern machinery for greater efficiency.

Today, Iran is the world's leading producer of rosewater, with 22,000 tonnes produced annually primarily in the country's central and southern regions. The Damask Rose yields the highest quality rosewater and 15,000 hectares of land are devoted to its cultivation. As a result, nearly 80% of farmers in the region depend on income from golab-related sales.

A highlight of the Iranian cultural calendar, Golabgiri celebrates the enduring value of ancient customs passed down through generations.

Images via Kimia Raghebi, Aseman Pasargad Aria, Tehran Times, Surfiran, YJC, Tara Jamali, Saadatrent.



The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

Last week, we gathered at the Courtauld Research Forum to a packed house for a much-anticipated talk: ‘Iran: International Law and the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Times of War’.

The panel brought together leading experts on Iranian heritage, spanning antiquity to the modern era, alongside a specialist in international law. They offered insights into the destruction of cultural monuments and discussed the significance and future of World Heritage as a shared global concern.

Professor Sussan Babaie provided an essential contextual overview, while Dr. Curtis examined the present-day destruction of heritage sites. Dr. Allen explored the destruction of heritage in antiquity, and Professor O'Keefe contributed a legal perspective virtually. These illuminating talks gave the audience a well-rounded understanding of the issues, setting the stage for a panel discussion chaired by Dr. Firouzeh, who skilfully guided questions from the audience.

The Iran Heritage Foundation is proud to have supported this event with Courtauld Trans-Asias in order to raise awareness of Iran’s endangered cultural heritage. Thank you to all who attended - the recording is now available online via the link below.

https://youtu.be/8PX9L5mUbEc?si=WdLKxhZqaMqYtGFd



The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

Each year on May 15th (25th Ordibehesht), Iran celebrates Ferdowsi Day, also known as Persian Language Day. The day honours the immortal legacy of Abolghassem Ferdowsi Tousi (940-1020 AD), the legendary poet revered as the father of the Persian language.

Ferdowsi is renowned for his epic masterpiece, the Shahnameh (Book of Kings) - a work that did far more than entertain: it preserved the culture, legends, heritage and history of Iran.

Born in Tous, in the Khorasan region of present-day Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, little is known about Ferdowsi’s early life. However, his literary output is legendary: the composition of the Shahnameh took over thirty years, from 977 to 1010 AD.

Created after the Arab conquest, the epic poem emerged at a time when Iranian identity was under threat, as the Persian language was suppressed in favour of Arabic. In a bold and deliberate choice, Ferdowsi wrote the entirety of his epic in Persian, thereby reviving and protecting the ancient tongue for millions across the globe for generations to come. The poem presents timeless messages within fantastical settings that blur the lines between legend and history.

The Shahnameh is the national epic of Iran. It chronicles the mythical and historical past, from the creation of the world up to the Islamic conquest of the 7th century. With more than 50,000 rhyming couplets, it is the world’s longest epic poem written by a single author.

Ferdowsi’s commitment to preserving the Iranian identity has made him a lasting emblem of resilience. On Ferdowsi Day, people honour him through poetry readings, cultural programmes and gatherings at his tomb in Mashhad.

Today, the Shahnameh stands as one of the most famous epic poems in the world and remains an enduring beacon of Iranian cultural identity.

“If there is no Iran let me be not.”
- Ferdowsi (940-1020 AD)

چو ایران نباشد تن من مبد.

Images via Reza Sobhani, Orijentolog, DavoudDavoudi, Preethi Nallu



The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

Observed on April 30th (10th Ordibehesht), Persian Gulf National Day commemorates the 1622 Safavid victory under Shah Abbas I that expelled the Portuguese navy from the Strait of Hormuz, while also reflecting on the waterway's historical, cultural and geopolitical significance.

This victory marked a turning point in the Persian-Portuguese Wars (1507-1724), ending Portugal’s century-long control (1515-1622) over the strategic trade routes of the Persian Gulf.

In 1602, Shah Abbas I (1587-1629) recaptured Portuguese-occupied Bahrain, bringing Safavid Iran into direct conflict with Portugal and setting the stage for their eventual expulsion from the Persian Gulf. The Portuguese seized Gamrun in 1612 and renamed it Comorão, but Abbas retook it in 1615, naming it Bandar Abbas (‘Port of Abbas’). In 1622, with the assistance of four English ships, the Iranian navy led by Shah Abbas I captured the Strait of Hormuz. The last notable Portuguese action in the Gulf was the sack of Qeshm Island in 1728.

Officially established in 2005 by Iran's Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, Persian Gulf National Day serves to reinforce the waterway's historic name amid regional attempts to rename it the 'Arabian Gulf'.

The name 'Persian Gulf' has been in use since at least 400 BC, when the historian Herodotus referred to it by its Greek equivalent, 'Persicus Sinus'. In 1971, the United Nations issued a directive mandating the exclusive use of 'Persian Gulf' in all official documents.

Persian Gulf National Day stands as a testament to this waterway's enduring historical, cultural, and strategic significance - one rooted in centuries of documentation.

Images via Nations Online Project, Joseolgon, Payman Barkhordari, Hamed Saber, MapMogul, GashtTour, OrientTrips.



The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

Falak-ol-Aflak Castle
📍Khorramabad, Lorestan province
⛏️224-651 AD, the Sassanians

Dating back 1,800 years, the Falak-ol-Aflak Castle is a remarkable testament to ancient Iranian architecture.

Covering a total area of 5,300 square metres and featuring twelve towers, this immense fortress is situated on a large hill in Khorramabad, the capital of Lorestan province. Constructed during the Sassanian period (224–651 AD), it served for centuries as a major seat of power for the rulers of Lorestan.

Standing 40 metres higher than the surrounding area, the hill on which the castle sits creates a natural dehumidifying effect that keeps the stone and wood foundations dry, protecting them from the region’s humid climate.

The Khorramabad River flows along the eastern and southwestern sides, providing natural defence from invaders, while the structure itself overlooks the city’s residential districts.

In 1968, the site was converted into an anthropological museum depicting the rich culture and art of the people of Lorestan. In 2025, it was granted UNESCO protection as part of the Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley.

Having sustained significant structural damage during the bombing of Lorestan, the site now demands urgent preservation and restoration to ensure this shared heritage endures for future generations. In preserving our past, we provide wisdom for the future.

Images via Ninara, Iran Front Page, Tehran Times, Paris Diplomatic, IranOnTour.



The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

In February, we partnered with the Barbican for an unforgettable month of Masterpieces of the Iranian New Wave - a programme of 1960s and 1970s Iranian cinema.

Highlights included the world premiere of the newly restored director’s cut of Secrets of the Jinn Valley Treasure (1974), directed by Ebrahim Golestan. We also learned about the meticulous restoration process from Ehsan Khoshbakht, the programme curator, that ensures these films endure.

The Iran Heritage Foundation is proud to have supported this restoration in partnership with Cineteca di Bologna, bringing this iconic film to a new generation. Thank you to everyone who joined us to experience the enduring power of Iranian cinema.



The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

The humanitarian toll and widespread disruption of life caused by the relentless bombing campaigns in the war on Iran since February 28, 2026, are tragic. Equally significant is the destruction of monuments of profound cultural importance to Iran and Iranians.

Join us for ‘Iran: International Law and the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Times of War’ presented by Courtauld Trans-Asias in partnership with the Iran Heritage Foundation.

📅 12 May 2026
📅 17:30 - 19:00
📍 Vernon Square Campus, Lecture Theatre 2

🔗 Free, booking essential.
https://courtauld.ac.uk/whats-on/iran-international-law-and-the-protection-of-cultural-heritage-in-times-of-war/

This event brings together a panel of experts on Iranian heritage, from antiquities to modern times, and an expert in international law, to offer insights and discuss the destruction of monuments and the significance and future of World Heritage as a shared global concern.

🔹Susan Babaie, Professor in the Arts of Iran and Islam, Courtauld Institute.
🔹Dr John Curtis, FBA, Keeper Emeritus, Ancient Iran and Iraq, the British Museum, and former Chief Executive Officer of the Iran Heritage Foundation.
🔹Dr Lindsay Allen, Lecturer in Greek & Near Eastern History, King’s College London.
🔹Professor Roger O’Keefe, Professor of International Law, Department of Legal Studies, Bocconi University, Milan
🔹Dr Peyvand Firouzeh, Islamic Art, University of Cambridge.

Organised by Susan Babaie, Professor in the Arts of Iran and Islam, as part of the Research Cluster Courtauld Trans-Asias, in collaboration with the Iran Heritage Foundation.

Image: Tehran, Azadi Tower. Photograph: Davoud Ghahrdar/AP.



The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

Chehel Sotoon Palace
📍Esfahan
⛏️17th century, the Safavids

One of the finest examples of Safavid (1501-1736) art and architecture, Chehel Sotoon is a timeless marvel of Iranian history.

Commissioned by Shah Abbas the Great (1587–1629) and completed under Shah Abbas II (1642–1666), this pavilion and garden complex served as a royal setting for entertaining dignitaries and receiving honored guests.

The name ‘Chehel Sotoon’ means Forty Columns, referring to the twenty wooden columns that reflect in a pool and create the illusion of forty columns.

Intricate frescoes and painted ceramics adorn the walls. Four major frescoes, commissioned by Shah Abbas II and painted around 1650, capture key historical encounters:
* The Battle of Marv (1510) – Shah Ismail I defeats and slays Uzbek king Shaybani Khan.
* Shah Tahmasp Welcomes Humayun (1544) – The Mughal emperor Humayun finds refuge at the Safavid court.
* Shah Abbas the Great Receives Vali Muhammad Khan (c.1600) – The Uzbek ruler is received by Shah Abbas the Great.
* Shah Abbas II Receives Nader Mohammad Khan (1646) – The Uzbek king is welcomed to the newly completed palace.

There are also several more recent paintings from the Qajar period, including the Battle of Chaldiran against Ottoman Sultan Selim I (1514) and Nader Shah's victory over the Indian army at Karnal (1739). In addition, a series of aesthetic miniature-style compositions depict scenes of love, life, and joy.

Reports indicate that parts of the complex sustained damage during the bombing of Esfahan, affecting sections of its historic structures and decorative elements. As one of Iran's most significant cultural monuments, the preservation and restoration of this site remain vital to safeguarding this shared heritage for generations to come.

Images via Amir Pashaei, Arad, Zenith210, Bernard Gagnon, Morteza Aminoroayayi, Parseh1, Matt Bidulph, BehshadHosseini,



The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.