On the occasion of Ferdowsi Commemoration Day (May 15), Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran is holding a group exhibition of illustrations by children and young adults, inspired by stories from the Shahnameh (book of Kings), the epic book of Persian poet Ferdowsi (940-1020).
Shahnameh, the world’s largest epic poem written by one poet, mainly focuses on the mythical and, to some extent, historical past of the Persian Empire from the creation of the world until the Islamic conquest of Persia in the 7th century.
The exhibit will continue till May 16. It has been organized jointly by Tehran-based Ferdowsi Foundation and Radmehr Art Institute in collaboration with the Cultural & Art Organization of Tehran Municipality.
Among the works on display are four 30x40 cm illustrations on the story of Zal and Simorgh by two 9-year-old participants Amir-Ali and Amir-Mehdi Mostaqimi, Mehr News Agency reported on its Persian website.
Born an albino with silver hair as that of an old man, Zal , father of the leading hero of Shahnameh Rostam, is abandoned by his father Sam in the mountains where he is found and raised by the legendary bird Simorgh, a very large and wise bird which darkens the sky when flying.
Seven other works on show are 50x70 cm collage works created jointly by 30 children. Each of the works show one of Rostam’s Seven Labors.
The Seven Labors of Rostam or his ‘Haft-Khan’ are a series of heroic acts of the hero. The story starts when the expedition of Iranian King Kavus to Mazandaran (land of demons in the Shahnameh) fails, and his army is captured by ‘div’s (demons). In his quest to rescue the king and the army from demons, Rostam has to succeed in many trials of courage and strength in seven stages.
In one of the stages, a huge dragon appears at midnight when Rostam is asleep in the woods. Rakhsh, his horse, retires towards his master, and neighs and beats the ground furiously to awaken Rostam.
When awakened, he looks around and finds nothing as the dragon has disappeared, so he goes back to sleep. Again the dragon appears, and the faithful horse tries to rouse his sleeping master.
Rostam is awakened for the second time; but fortunately this time he sees the prodigious cause of alarm.
Finally with the help of his horse Rostam succeeds to slay the dragon with his sword.
Arasbaran Cultural Center is located at Jolfa St. north of Seyyed-Khandan Bridge, Shariati Avenue.
