Iran Heritage Foundation

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Iran Heritage Foundation

Non-political UK Charity (1001785)

For the past 30 years, the Iran Heritage Foundation has ensured Iran’s vibrant culture, history and language are wide-reaching and relevant on the Global stage. The Iran Heritage Foundation is a non-political UK registered charity with the mission to promote and preserve the history, languages and cultures of Iran and the Persianate world.

19/09/2026

The Iran Heritage Foundation is pleased to announce its support for ‘A Geography of Siege’, curated by Vali Mahlouji and on view at the Ragged School Museum from 1 to 30 October as part of PhotoMonth 2026.

The exhibition brings together photography and moving-image works by internationally recognised artists exploring the persistence of violence beyond events of conflict, displacement and upheaval, and the ways in which their aftermath continues to shape people, places, memory and experience.

The IHF is proud to support artists and cultural initiatives that encourage new perspectives, foster dialogue and deepen our understanding of art, history and cultural heritage in an interconnected world.

16/09/2026

The Iran Heritage Foundation is pleased to announce our support for the Centenary of Muhammadjon Shakuri Bukhoroyi on September 25th.

Muhammadjon Shakuri (1925/6–2012) was a distinguished scholar, philologist, literary critic, member of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan and of Iran’s Academy of Persian Language and Literature, and one of the founders of modern Tajik culture.

Bringing together speakers who knew him personally, this gathering offers a broader reflection on the intellectual and cultural history of twentieth-century Tajikistan through talks, poetry and film.

The IHF is pleased to support this commemoration of such a notable figure in the Persianate world through grants awarded by its Academic Committee.

Email to register via this link https://mshakuri.cargo.site/

31/08/2026

Minakari | میناکاری

Minakari is an ancient Iranian enameling technique that involves decorating metal surfaces with vibrant, coloured glazes and intricate designs.

Etymologically, the term minakari stems from the Persian mina (‘heaven’ or ‘sky’) and kari (‘craftsmanship’). Translating literally to "the art of heaven," this name pays homage to its signature cobalt-blue glaze which was intended to capture the very essence of the sky.

Iranian enameling has roots reaching back to 1500 BC, with metal-based glazing emerging between 600 and 400 BC. Notable early examples of polychromatic metalwork from this broader tradition include an inlaid earring (c.6th-4th century BC) set with turquoise, lapis lazuli and carnelian, as well as a gold Achaemenid armband from the Oxus Treasure (550-330 BC), which would have been similarly embellished with vibrant stone inlays.

Minakari as we recognize it today was perfected in Safavid Esfahan (1501-1736), where it flourished in the celebrated workshops that bordered the grand Naghsh-e Jahan Square. The process is intricate and complex:

Etching - Skilled metalsmiths shape the base (vases, trays, or jewelry) and etch intricate geometric, floral or mythological designs into metals like copper, silver or even gold.
Colouring - The engraved grooves are filled with powdered metallic oxides to create vivid, contrasting tones.
Firing - The piece is fired in a kiln, where intense heat melts the enamel, allowing it to bond seamlessly to the metal surface.
Polishing - Finally, the hardened enamel is polished to a brilliant, glassy finish that ensures both lasting durability and a radiant glow.

Today, Minakari is part of daily life as vases, table wear and jewellery. Each piece is a testament to Iranian craftsmanship and a reminder that history’s impact lives on in the present.

Images via The MET, © The Trustees of the British Museum, Shokat Esmaeilzadeh,

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

18/08/2026

Alamut Castle
📍Alamut region, Qazvin province
⛏️865 AD, the Justanids

Situated on a colossal mountain 200 metres above the valley floor, this ancient fortress is internationally renowned for its rich and turbulent history.

Alamut (literally 'eagle's nest') is a ruined fortress in Iran's Qazvin province, 130 miles from Tehran. Accessible only by a narrow, winding path, it is one of seven fortresses that formed one of medieval Iran's most sophisticated mountain defence networks across the Alborz valleys.

Archaeological studies have uncovered sophisticated water systems, ingenious fortifications, and strategic mountain architecture - innovations that enabled the fortress to withstand prolonged sieges. Historical accounts also describe it as a centre of learning, with a significant library and thriving scientific activity.

Most famously, it was the stronghold of the Nizari Ismaili state under Hasan-i Sabbah (1090–1124 AD), serving for nearly two centuries as its political, military, and intellectual centre. From here, Sabbah challenged Seljuk (1037-1194 AD) authority, and the fortress gained notoriety for the assassins.

Captured by the Mongols in 1256 (1219-1258), Alamut was partially destroyed and its library burned. It was later restored as a Safavid (1501-1736) prison until it was abandoned in the 18th century and gradually ruined by the elements and treasure-seekers.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2026, Alamut Castle and its six associated fortifications became Iran's 30th World Heritage Site – placing the nation tenth globally. These ancient fortifications offer a crucial insight into Iran’s diverse history.

Images via Aliazizollahi, Alireza Javaheri, Ninara, Elaheabed, Payampak, Ahmadrezarafati.

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

13/08/2026

Last week more than 500 academics from across the globe converged in Utrecht, the Netherlands, for the Fifteenth Biennial Iranian Studies Conference.

The programme was richly varied, with talks spanning history, film, poetry and beyond, as we learned about new explorations of the Persianate world from antiquity to the present day. Thought-provoking discussions unfolded throughout the conference, offering fresh insights into the latest research shaping the field.

The Iran Heritage Foundation is proud to have supported this event, organised by the Association for Iranian Studies in collaboration with the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Utrecht University. This marks the third AIS conference that IHF has had the privilege of supporting, having previously sponsored the conferences in Istanbul and Vienna.

For over 35 years, we have championed the richness of Iranian culture and heritage – and supporting this conference was a natural extension of our mission.

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

30/07/2026

The IHF Modern Iran Series is a new Open Access, peer-reviewed academic book series published by Bloomsbury Academic. The Iran Heritage Foundation is proud to be supporting successful applicants by covering their Open Access publication costs.

The deadline for the third round of submissions is 31st August 2026.

To submit your proposal, please complete the form and forward it to Hassan Hakimian (Series Editor) and Rory Gormley (Senior Commissioning Editor at Bloomsbury Academic). The form and submission guidelines are available via this link: https://ihf.org.uk/call-for-book-proposals-ihf-modern-iran-series-june-2026/

The series publishes innovative Open Access books on modern and contemporary Iran. Covering the period from the late nineteenth century to the present day, it welcomes original scholarship across a broad range of subjects, including culture, society, politics, and economics.

We look forward to the publication of the forthcoming volumes and the fresh insights they will bring to the study of modern and contemporary Iran, further advancing our mission to promote and preserve Iran's rich cultural heritage.

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

28/07/2026

Amordadgan is an ancient Iranian festival celebrating immortality, life and nature.

Rooted in Zoroastrian tradition, this day is observed on the seventh of Mordad (July 29th) and is dedicated to the spirit Amordad. As the guardian of trees, plants and vegetation, Amordad embodies the forces of immortality and longevity. This duality is woven into her very name: while ‘Mordad’ signifies death, the prefixed ‘a’ transforms it into the opposite - eternal life.

A vibrant tribute to life, this festival honours nature's bounty - from water and plants to health and long life - through dance, feasting and outdoor revelry.

The Iran Heritage Foundation wishes you a joyful Amordadgan 🌱

Images via Tehran Times, Mahsa Safari, Phillip Maiwald, A.Davey, © The Trustees of the British Museum.

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

24/07/2026

Inscription and Relief of Darius I at Bisotun
📍Zagros Mountains, Kermanshah Province
⛏️c.520 BC, the Achaemenids

More than 2,500 years old, this UNESCO-protected relief and inscription offer an essential insight into the rise to power of Darius I (522-486 BC).

Bisotun (literally "place of gods") features archaeological layers from prehistory to the Median, Sassanian, and Ilkhanid periods; however, the site is most renowned for its 15-metre-high and 25-metre-wide Achaemenid (550-330 BC) relief and monumental inscriptions.

Carved 60 metres high into the face of Mount Bisotun in the Zagros range, the relief portrays Darius holding a bow - a symbol of kingship - and planting his foot on the chest of a figure who lies on his back before him. According to legend, the figure represents Gaumata, the Median Magus and pretender to the throne whose assassination led to Darius's rise to power.

Surrounding the relief are approximately 1,200 lines of inscriptions chronicling Darius's wars against the governors who tried to tear apart the Achaemenid Empire (521-520 BC). Written in three cuneiform scripts - Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian - this trilingual text was deciphered in the 19th century. Like the Rosetta Stone, it provided the key to deciphering these ancient languages.

The inscription is arranged in three stages. The oldest portion, in Elamite, recounts the legends surrounding the king and the rebellions. This is followed by a Babylonian version of the same narratives. The final phase, however, is the most significant: here, in Old Persian, Darius first presents his personal account - the only known monumental text of the Achaemenids to document these events.

Standing at the heart of the Achaemenid period, this monument both inaugurates the era's distinctive art and unlocks Iran's ancient languages, bringing the past to light.

Images via Persian Dutch Network, Safa.daneshvar, Korosh.091, Elmju, KendallKDown, Encyclopaedia Iranica.

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

20/07/2026

Today marks International Chess Day - a celebration of a game as deep in history as in strategy. Originating in India 1,500 years ago, chess was refined in Iran and went on to conquer the world.

Chess began as ‘chaturanga’ in 6th‑century India, reached Sasanian Iran (224-651 AD) where it became ‘chatrang’ and subsequently ‘shatranj’ after the Islamic conquest. From there it spread to Iberia, Portugal and Greece via Arabic - but across much of Europe, it was the Persian ‘Shah’ (‘king’) that left its mark, giving us check, chess and checkmate (from 'shah mat', usually understood as 'the king is defeated' or 'the king is helpless', though often popularly translated as 'the king is dead').

Ferdowsi's ‘Shahnameh’ (977-1010 AD) presents chess as an Indian diplomatic challenge - a test sent by a Raja to King Khosrow I. The Persians not only solved the game but devised ‘nard’ (backgammon) in return. When India failed to decipher it, they claimed victory. Legendary or not, this remains the first Iranian record of chess, and both games would endure as pillars of princely cultivation.

The poet Rumi (1207-1273) used chess imagery in his ‘Masnavi’ (1258-1273), with God as the ‘Chess Master’ of the world and human beings as the pieces. The first image above depicts Shams‑i Tabrizi playing chess in a manuscript of one of these poems (c.1500).

Among the images are the oldest known chess pieces - ivory from Samarkand (c.700 AD) and a glazed fritware set from Nishapur (12th century AD). These examples reveal the importance of chess in antiquity and its enduring status today as perhaps the world's most famous game. Millennia pass, but humanity endures.

Images via LAS30a and The MET.

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

16/07/2026

The Iran Heritage Foundation is proud to announce its support for the Fifteenth Biennial Iranian Studies Conference, taking place at Utrecht University from August 5th to 8th.

For over 35 years, we have championed the richness of Iranian culture, safeguarding its historical depth and celebrating its enduring global influence.
This conference represents a vital convergence of scholarly minds, and we are honoured to facilitate the continued exploration of the Persianate world, from antiquity to the present day.

Through our Institutional Partnership Programme, we actively invest in the future of Iranian studies by funding fellowships and curatorships, publishing groundbreaking research, organising exhibitions and supporting both the performing and visual arts.

We look forward to the insights this gathering will create and remain steadfast in our mission to deepen global understanding of Iran’s extraordinary heritage.

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

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