LONDON — The 10th Persian Language Festival was held at the University of Westminster in celebration of International Mother Language Day, featuring poetry recitations, musical performances, and messages highlighting the cultural heritage of the Persian-speaking world.
The event brought together Persian-speaking cultural figures from Afghanistan, Iran, and Tajikistan residing in the United Kingdom. Alongside the festival, an exhibition of books, traditional clothing, and handmade artworks was also held in the university’s main hall.
As part of the festival, the “Qand-e Parsi” award was presented to two Persian language scholars—Alireza Qiyamati from Iran and Akhlaq Ahan from India—as well as to two Afghan artists, Tahir Shabab and Sediq Shabab.
The Persian Language Festival has been held annually in London for the past decade as a way to promote and preserve Persian linguistic and cultural heritage.
Organized by the Tajik and Persian-Speaking Solidarity Association and other Persian-language organizations, the festival is traditionally scheduled on a Sunday close to February 21, which the United Nations has designated as International Mother Language Day.
