TEHRAN -- Iranians on Thursday commemorate the National Day of Persian Poetry and Literature, a date deeply etched in the country’s cultural calendar in honor of the esteemed poet Muhammad-Hussein Shahriar. 
The occasion, far beyond a mere remembrance, stands as a testament to the enduring vitality of Persian literary heritage and its intimate bond with national identity.
In a statement, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Abbas Salehi described the Persian language as “the enduring emblem” of Iranian identity. He poetically likened Persian to “a river flowing calmly through centuries,” nourishing the soul and spirit of the nation. To Salehi, poetry is not merely an art form but “the highest window into meaning and hope,” a collective memory and emotional archive reflecting the joys, sufferings, faith, and aspirations of Iranians across millennia.
Salehi highlighted Shahriar as “one of the brightest stars” in this poetic constellation—a figure whose passionate ghazals have rekindled the hearts of countless lovers of poetry. The minister’s call to action emphasized the importance of inviting younger generations into this timeless tradition, fostering a renewed friendship with poetry to keep this “illuminating torch” alive for future generations.
Complementing this cultural reflection, Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, echoed the sentiment that Persian poetry is far more than a literary inheritance—it is a “pillar of national identity and cohesion.” 
He invoked the names of classical giants—Ferdowsi, Saadi, Hafez, Rumi, Nizami, and Khayyam—to situate Shahriar within an unbroken lineage of poets whose work not only preserves Iranian culture but contributes to the world’s literary civilization.
Baghaei underlined that Persian poetry has always served as a platform for dialogue, friendship, and empathy among diverse peoples and cultures. Shahriar’s own verses, rich in accessibility and humanity, continue this tradition by translating the spirit of the era into the universal language of poetry.
Shahriar, whose masterwork Heydar Babaya Salam (“Greetings to Heydar Baba”) is celebrated as a crowning jewel of Azerbaijani-Turkic literature, represents a rare poetic voice that bridges linguistic and cultural divides within Iran. 
His dual legacy—in Persian and Azerbaijani—embodies the complex tapestry of Iranian cultural identity. The day dedicated to him thus serves a dual purpose: it venerates one of the most luminous poets of modern Iran and underscores the unifying power of the Persian language.