The public relations department of the Persepolis World Heritage Base reports that the closing ceremony of “Rah-e Shahname” was on May 24, 2017.

The ceremony was held in Melal Gate of Persepolis with the attendance of national and international tourists. The ceremony consisted of different cultural and artistic programs like “Shahname khani” (reading Shahname in an artistic style), “Naqali” (Narrating Shahname) and classical music performance.

Ali-Akbar Pedram, who teaches Shahname, declared that “our goal is to replace Marathon which has fictitious history with Rah-e Shahname, long-distance running championship, which is the symbol of Iran’s culture in Olympic Games”. He added that the symbol of Olympic is five interlocking rings that shows peace and friendship of five participating continents, and its games also represent these messages (peace and friendship). Marathon has entered Olympics in 1894 and it has the concepts of war, failure and victory in itself, which is unlike the content of Olympic Games.  

Pedram also said that based on our planned program, we want to extend “Rah-e Shahname, the long-distance running championship” to the countries with Persian language. So the fourth championship is going to be held in Tajikistan and then in the other countries in order that all the people understand the true fact of Marathon.

The public relations department of Persepolis World Heritage Base reports that this cultural-athletic program was held on May 24, 2017 by Persepolis world Heritage Base, the bureau of Cultural Heritage Bases of the country (Iran), Track and Field Federation, Youth and sport General Directorate of Fars province, Track and Field committee of Alborz province, Traffic Police of Fars province, Red Crescent Society, Physical Education Organization, Marvdasht Municipality, Culture and Islamic Guidance department of Marvdasht and with the cooperation of the Cultural heritage and Tourism lovers’ Club. This championship covers the route of Shiraz to Marvdasht and Persepolis.

At the end of the closing ceremony the head of Persepolis World heritage Base, gave the runners and artists of the program a letter of commendation and the statue of Rah-e Shahname and appreciated the cooperators, too.

Source: Public Relations Department of Persepolis World heritage Base.