Shahnameh Reading Workshop Series

Session 1: Introduction

Welcome to the first session of our Shahnameh Reading Workshop Series, organized by House of Friendship.

The Shahnameh, the most important epic of the Persian language, is not only a masterpiece of storytelling but also a treasure of wisdom, beauty, and timeless values. Filled with myths, legends, and history, it reflects deep cultural, ethical, political, and philosophical insights.

📖 Session 1 Highlights

Guided by IranDokht Farokhi, PhD in Persian Language and Literature, this session explored:

Why the Shahnameh still matters today and what its timeless lessons can teach us
A glimpse into manuscripts and commentaries of the Shahnameh
Ferdowsi’s life and the world in which he lived
Selected passages from the Shahnameh’s introduction, read and discussed together

🌍 This session welcomed both Iranian and non-Iranian participants. To make the workshop more inclusive, we enabled closed captioning translation, ensuring that everyone could fully engage with the material regardless of language.

✨ This ongoing workshop invites participants to read, reflect, and discover the rich heritage of Persian epic literature in a welcoming, inclusive setting.

📅 Event Date: September 13, 2025
📍 Location: Online Session

Session 2: The Tale of Jamshid the King

In our second session of the Shahnameh Reading Series, we explored the tale of King Jamshid under the guidance of Dr. Irandokht Farrokhi, a distinguished scholar of Persian language and literature.

Participants not only listened to the recitation of verses from the Shahnameh but also received a shared file of the original text to follow along. Dr. Farrokhi offered insightful commentary, explaining the literary nuances and cultural significance of this timeless epic.

📖 Session 2 Highlights

Reading and interpretation of the story of King Jamshid.
Exploration of Shahnameh’s poetic depth and literary elegance.
Interactive discussion to enhance understanding of Persian heritage.

🌍 This session welcomed both Iranian and non-Iranian participants. To make the workshop more inclusive, we enabled closed captioning translation, ensuring that everyone could fully engage with the material regardless of language.

✨ This ongoing workshop invites participants to read, reflect, and discover the rich heritage of Persian epic literature in a welcoming, inclusive setting.

📅 Event Date: September 27, 2025
📍 Location: Online Session

Session 3 (Part 1): The Fall of Jamshid and Zahhak’s Transformation

In the third session of our Shahnameh Reading Workshop Series, led by Dr. Irandokht Farrokhi, we continued exploring Ferdowsi’s timeless epic with a focus on the end of King Jamshid’s reign and the rise of Zahhak.

Participants followed along with the verses as Dr. Farrokhi read and analyzed selected passages, offering insight into the poetic, ethical, and literary depth of the Shahnameh. Through thoughtful discussion, attendees gained a deeper appreciation of Ferdowsi’s masterful storytelling and the symbolic meaning behind the fall of Jamshid and the emergence of Zahhak’s dark rule.

📖 Session 3 Highlights

Reading verses from the end of Jamshid’s reign.
Exploring the story of Zahhak’s rise to power.
Commentary and literary analysis by Dr. Farrokhi.

🌍 This session welcomed both Iranian and non-Iranian participants. To make the workshop more inclusive, we enabled closed captioning translation, ensuring that everyone could fully engage with the material regardless of language.

✨ This ongoing workshop invites participants to read, reflect, and discover the rich heritage of Persian epic literature in a welcoming, inclusive setting.

📅 Event Date: October 11, 2025
📍 Location: Online Session

Session 3 (Part 2): The Fall of Jamshid and Zahhak’s Transformation

Our Shahnameh Reading Workshop Series, led by Dr. IranDokht Farokhi, continued with the second part of the story of Zahhak, following the downfall of King Jamshid explored in the previous session.

In this session, we delved into Zahhak’s rise to power and the dark era of his rule, examining how Ferdowsi portrays the corruption, fear, and moral decay that spread across the land under his reign. Dr. Farokhi guided participants through selected verses that reveal the symbolic depth of Zahhak’s character — a ruler enslaved by greed and tyranny, embodying the dangers of moral compromise.

📖 Session 4 Highlights

Reading and interpretation of verses centered on Zahhak’s transformation and reign
Group discussion on the political, ethical, and psychological dimensions of his rule
Exploration of Ferdowsi’s imagery and the timeless lessons it conveys about justice, power, and resistance

Participants also read selected verses of their choice from The Shahnameh, sharing personal interpretations and insights, followed by a Q&A with Dr. Farokhi, who answered questions and expanded on key literary and philosophical themes.

As with previous sessions, closed caption translation was available to support non-Persian-speaking attendees.

📅 Event Date: October 25, 2025
📍 Location: Online Session

Session 4 (Part 1): The Fall of Jamshid and Zahhak’s Transformation

Our Shahnameh Reading Workshop Series, led by Dr. IranDokht Farokhi, continued with the story of Fereydun’s awareness of his father’s fate and his encounter with Kaveh the Blacksmith — a powerful narrative of awakening, unity, and resistance against tyranny.

In this session, we explored how Ferdowsi illustrates the early signs of hope rising from oppression, as Fereydun learns of his father’s unjust death and Kaveh courageously stands up to Zahhak. Through Dr. Farokhi’s detailed interpretation, participants gained a deeper understanding of the symbolic struggle between good and evil, and how these timeless lessons still resonate today.

📖 Session 5 Highlights

Guided reading and interpretation of verses depicting Fereydun’s realization and Kaveh’s rebellion
Participant verse readings from The Shahnameh, distributed beforehand to encourage engagement and practice
Discussion on the moral and emotional power of defiance in the face of injustice
Examination of Ferdowsi’s poetic language in portraying courage and collective awakening

To foster a deeper connection with the text, participants practiced Shahnameh reading while Dr. Farokhi led the interpretation and provided context on historical, ethical, and cultural themes.

📅 Event Date: Nov 8, 2025
📍 Location: Online Session