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The Poet Who Captured a People's Soul:
Ferdowsi and the Eternal Shahnameh
“I have built a high palace that will never disappear. No rain, no wind will destroy it.”
~ Ferdowsi
In 1972, like many Iranian families, I left Iran with my family. I was just a child, but the memories are etched deeply in my heart. The busy bazaar where my mother shopped, the familiar rhythm of family gatherings, and the warmth of my grandfather's voice as he shared our history – these moments shaped me. Iran was never just the place we lived. It was, and still is, woven into every part of who we are.
When we left, my father carried the weight of his decision, and we carried the soul of our culture with us. My mother kept Iran alive in our kitchen, each meal a reminder of home. Our celebrations of Yalda and Nowruz marked the seasons just as they had before. The words of Ferdowsi, Hafez, and Rumi were anchors, connecting us to a land we could no longer touch.
The Ferdowsi's Iran Gift Box is my way of honoring these threads. It's a tribute to the stories, artistry, and resilience that define us as Iranians. It's deeply personal – my way of sharing the Iran I know and love with the world.
Working with Shirin Ehya, founder of The Space in Milan, made this vision complete. When we met, I knew I'd found a kindred spirit – someone whose love for our heritage mirrors my own. Together, we share a deep connection to our roots and a desire to showcase Iran's true beauty beyond its borders. Each piece in this box was chosen with purpose, reflecting the rich history, masterful craftsmanship, and enduring spirit of our culture.
Beyond the beautiful items in this gift box, we invite you to to experience the heart of Iran. To discover its rich traditions, embrace its stories, and connect with its timeless beauty.
Over a thousand years ago, Abolqasem Ferdowsi created one of the greatest literary achievements in history: the Shahnameh (The Book of Kings). Completed in 1010 CE, this monumental epic spans over 50,000 couplets and stands as a cornerstone of Persian culture and identity. Written during a time when the Persian language and traditions faced threats from foreign influence, the Shahnameh preserved the heritage, stories, and values of Iran for future generations.
More than a collection of myths and legends, The Shahnameh is a celebration of Persian history, from the dawn of creation to the fall of the Sassanian Empire. Through its vivid storytelling, Ferdowsi immortalized tales of kings, warriors, and timeless heroes. Characters like Rostam and Sohrab embody universal themes of loyalty, bravery, love, and the tragic consequences of fate, making the Shahnameh as relevant today as it was a millennium ago.
Ferdowsi’s work is a testament to the resilience of Iranian culture. By composing the Shahnameh entirely in Persian, he safeguarded the language at a time when Arabic was the dominant literary medium. His verses became a symbol of cultural pride, ensuring that Iran’s stories, values, and identity would not be forgotten.
For us Iranians around the world, the Shahnameh remains a vital connection to our heritage. Its verses are recited during celebrations, its stories are passed down through generations, and its themes continue to inspire. Ferdowsi’s masterpiece is the heart of Persian history and the enduring voice of a culture that refuses to be silenced.
Iran's traditions are deeply rooted in family, nature, and history. Celebrations like Yalda and Nowruz are annual rituals that connect generations. During Yalda, the winter solstice, families gather to share stories, recite poetry, and enjoy symbolic foods like pomegranates and watermelon, celebrating light's triumph over darkness.
Nowruz, the Persian New Year, marks the arrival of spring with the Haft-Seen table, where every item represents renewal and hope. From sprouting sabzeh symbolizing growth to the mirror reflecting new beginnings, these gestures carry layers of meaning. For those in the diaspora, these traditions have become anchors, ways of preserving identity and connecting to cultural roots.
Wherever I have lived, I've carried these traditions with me. No matter the country, the language, or the distance from Iran, these cultural practices remain a constant—a touchstone of identity that transcends borders and connects me to my roots, my family, and the broader Iranian diaspora.
These rituals are more than symbolic gestures—they are a way of honoring heritage and maintaining cultural continuity. Whether carefully arranging the Haft-Seen table or sharing the stories behind these traditions, each moment becomes a bridge between past and present, keeping the essence of Iranian th alive across generations and geographies.
Iran has always been a land of creators, where artistry and craftsmanship are intertwined with everyday life. From the intricate patterns of Persian carpets to the vibrant hues of illuminated miniatures, each piece reflects the hands and hearts of its makers, preserving the legacy of centuries past.
This craftsmanship is a form of storytelling, a way of expressing identity and connection to the land. The handmade black stoneware bowl included in this gift box exemplifies this tradition. Formed by hand from natural materials, its quiet elegance speaks volumes. It is a testament to the power of creating with intention in a world increasingly dominated by mass production.
Persian pistachios carry a similar significance. Known as the finest in the world, these pistachios are vibrant, flavorful, and deeply tied to the land they come from. They are a symbol of abundance, hospitality, and the generosity that lies at the heart of Iranian culture. Like the bowl, they remind us that beauty and meaning can be found in even the simplest of things, connecting us to a heritage that values care and thought in every detail.
Iran's connection to winemaking runs deep, tracing back over 7,000 years to the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, where some of the earliest evidence of wine production has been found. In ancient Persia, wine was a symbol of celebration, artistry, and life itself. It was a part of our poetry, with poets like Hafez often using wine as a metaphor for divine love, wisdom, and joy.
Though Iran's winemaking tradition may no longer thrive in its homeland, its legacy endures. The story of Persian viticulture is a testament to our culture's resilience—a narrative of creativity that continues to flow through generations, transcending borders and current limitations. Wine remains a powerful symbol of our historical sophistication, our connection to the land, and our ability to transform simple harvests into moments of profound cultural expression.
The tradition speaks to something deeper than a beverage—it represents the Iranian spirit of transformation, of finding beauty and meaning in the simplest of things. From the ancient vineyards of the Zagros to the poetic verses that celebrated wine's mystical qualities, this legacy continues to inspire and connect us to our rich cultural heritage.
This gift box would not have been possible without the partnership of Shirin Ehya, founder of The Space in Milan. Shirin is someone whose deep love for Iran mirrors my own. Through her work, she has dedicated herself to showcasing Iranian art and culture in ways that resonate far beyond our borders. Her commitment to honoring heritage through thoughtful curation brought a unique depth to this collaboration.
Together, we selected every item in this box with intention. From the timeless words of Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh to the handcrafted stoneware bowl, each piece reflects the richness and resilience of Iranian culture. Our shared vision was to create something that didn’t just tell a story but invited others to experience it—to taste, to touch, to read, and to feel a connection to the heart of Iran.
Working with Shirin was a reminder that collaboration rooted in shared values can bring something extraordinary to life. This project became a celebration of our culture and a bridge between past and present, between those of us in the diaspora and those still in Iran, and between Iran and the world.
The Ferdowsi’s Iran Gift Box is a reflection of the stories, traditions, and artistry that define us as Iranians. It is a way of sharing the depth and beauty of our culture with the world, offering a glimpse into a heritage that is as vibrant as it is enduring.
For me, this project is deeply personal. It is my way of honoring the roots that shaped me, of sharing the Iran I know and love, and of ensuring that its rich traditions continue to inspire. Each piece in this box, from the pistachios that symbolize Iranian hospitality to the eternal words of Shahnameh, carries with it a piece of our collective story.
I hope that this box inspires curiosity and connection. That it invites you to celebrate Persian culture and the values that make it timeless. And that, no matter where you are, it brings a little piece of Iran into your home, reminding you of the beauty, resilience, and grace that define this extraordinary land.
For those of us who have left Iran, projects like this are a way of holding onto what matters most. They remind us that wherever life takes us, our heritage endures, carried in the traditions we honor and the stories we tell. And for those who receive this gift, it is an invitation to experience the richness of Persian culture—a legacy that inspires, connects, and transcends time."
See more DLISH gift curations here.
