TEHRAN -- Universities in South Korea and Serbia have hosted cultural and educational initiatives highlighting Persian language, literature and Iranian civilization, with one marking five decades of Persian studies at a South Korean institution and another restoring Persian language classes at a Serbian university after a decade-long break.
At Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) in South Korea, a cultural week was held from November 9 to 13 to mark the 50th anniversary of Persian language instruction and Iranian studies at the university.
The event brought together Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Erfanian, university officials, professors, students and alumni for a series of academic, literary and cultural activities.
Erfanian praised the university’s faculty and students for their efforts to teach and promote Persian in South Korea, emphasizing the language’s importance in introducing Iran’s literary and cultural heritage.
The program featured a Persian-language speech contest, meetings with graduates, a translation competition and a gathering of alumni of the university’s Department of Persian and Iranian Studies. Students delivered speeches in Persian about their motivations for learning the language and their interest in Iranian culture and literature.
Meetings with graduates working in media organizations and financial institutions also provided students with opportunities to learn about professional prospects associated with Persian language studies.
The closing ceremony took place on November 13 at the Korea Press Center, attended by Erfanian, university officials, academics, students and graduates.
The Iranian ambassador highlighted the role of language education and cultural studies in promoting mutual understanding and strengthening relations between the Iranian and South Korean peoples.
Representatives of the university’s Department of Persian and Iranian Studies, its alumni association, the Korea-Iran Council and South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also addressed the gathering. A video message from South Korean Ambassador to Iran Kim Junpyo was screened.
Three students were honored for their contributions to translation. An exhibition of Iranian handicrafts and programs introducing Iranian culture and cuisine were also organized.
Established in 1976, HUFS’s Persian language and Iranian studies program has contributed to training specialists and expanding knowledge of Iran’s language, literature and culture in South Korea over the past five decades.
In Serbia, the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Novi Sad has resumed Persian language instruction after a decade-long suspension, with 14 learners enrolling in the new course.
The program was relaunched in cooperation with Iran’s cultural representation in Serbia and the Saadi Foundation. Its opening session was attended by Muhammad Hussein Naeimi, Iran’s cultural counsellor in Serbia and representative of the Saadi Foundation, and Amir Ali Nataj, the course instructor.
Participants watched a video in Serbian introducing Iran’s culture and civilization, the history and characteristics of Persian, and linguistic similarities between Persian and Serbian. Former Persian language students at the University of Belgrade also shared their experiences.
Naeimi welcomed the resumption of classes, emphasizing the 
importance of academic and cultural cooperation between Iran and Serbia. He highlighted the literary heritage of Persian, particularly the works of Saadi, Hafez and Rumi, and referred to Saadi’s celebrated poem Bani Adam as an expression of empathy, compassion and human solidarity.
He noted that Iran’s cultural representation in Serbia has pursued language education for nearly three decades, with former students going on to teach Persian and translate literary works into Serbian.
The opening session also featured a presentation on Iran’s natural and cultural attractions, including the Persian Gulf, accompanied by Iranian music. The first lesson introduced the Persian alphabet, its writing system and pronunciation.