TEHRAN — The Islamic Culture and Relations Organization has announced the fifth open call for the Commanders of Victory and Heroes of the Fight Against Global Terrorism — a growing cultural initiative that seeks to intertwine resistance discourse with contemporary artistic expression across the region.
Originally launched in Baghdad to commemorate the first martyrdom anniversary of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the festival has evolved into a significant pan-regional cultural campaign. Over the past four years, it has engaged hundreds of artists, writers, and media professionals from Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Algeria, Tunisia, Pakistan, and Nigeria, establishing a new aesthetic of resistance grounded in justice, sacrifice, and the reinterpretation of heroism.
What began as a modest call for submissions in 2021 — attracting 98 participants and 174 entries — has grown substantially. The fourth edition drew over 1,195 artworks from 623 contributors, many of whom are now recognized figures in the cultural front of the resistance movement.
In an age where the narratives of resistance are often distorted or silenced in mainstream media, this initiative aims to counterbalance through truth-telling in aesthetic form. The festival’s guiding mission is to preserve the memory and impact of key anti-terrorism figures — not only in historical terms but as living, breathing symbols of regional defiance against injustice.
The festival continues to center the legacy of Martyrs Soleimani and al-Muhandis, but this year’s edition expands its spotlight to include five additional symbolic figures: Hassan Nasrallah, Hashem Safieddine, Imad Mughniyeh, Ismail Haniyeh, and Yahya al-Sinwar. All are recognized as leaders who have shaped the course of battle against organized terrorism in the Middle East.
This fifth call for submissions encourages artists and creatives across disciplines — from poetry and painting to photojournalism, short films, and digital art — to explore three thematic axes:
The strategic role of resistance commanders in confronting global terrorism;
The humanistic and justice-centered face of the resistance movement;
Artistic documentation of atrocities that have scarred the global conscience.
The call continues to evolve in scope and technical infrastructure. This year, a revamped digital portal provides a more user-friendly experience for submissions, tracking, and archiving. Once submitted, participants receive a digital barcode receipt and SMS confirmation, streamlining participation and ensuring transparency.
Organizers emphasize that this is not merely an art event, but a movement to redefine resistance aesthetics — using art as a counter-memory to political erasure and as a cultural form of justice-seeking. In previous editions, works from selected artists have been showcased in both physical and virtual exhibitions, further amplifying their reach across audiences.
The deadline for submissions is October 30. The festival will culminate in a ceremony honoring top artists, attended by leading cultural and artistic figures, and featuring a curated exhibition of selected works both in-gallery and online.