Director of Lorestan Studies Center, University of Lorestan: Poets and writers should express self-sacrifice for the homeland through the impactful language of art.

The Director of the Lorestan Studies Center of Lorestan University and a faculty member of the Faculty of Literature and Humanities stated: "It is essential that in these days, poets, writers, and other artists, demonstrate the value and importance of the homeland, the necessity of unity and solidarity, and self-sacrifice in the defense of religion and the homeland to everyone, especially the youth, adolescents, and children, through beautiful and impactful artistic language and expression."

In an interview with the IRNA reporter, Dr. Nouri, referring to the fact that Iranians throughout history, whenever their land has been attacked and targeted by the enemy, have acted in a unified, cohesive, and integrated manner and have proudly sacrificed their lives to defend the homeland, stated: "The reflection of this sacrifice is completely evident in Persian literary texts."

He continued: "In Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, the most important aspect of which is the expression and description of the bravery and heroism of Iranians against invading nations, such literature confirms this spirit and this behavior and practice of Iranians, as it says: 'If Iran does not exist, may my body not exist/ May not a single person live in this land' and 'If we give our bodies to be killed/ It is better than giving the country to the enemy'."

Nouri continued: "Nezami also considers Iran to be the heart of the world and says: 'The whole world is a body and Iran is the heart/ The speaker is not ashamed of this comparison'."

The faculty member of Lorestan University continued: "In the poems of the poets of the Mongol period, such as Saif Farghani, emphasis was also placed on the chivalry and pride of Iranians, and he said: 'The one who had a horse, its dust settled/ The dust of your donkeys will also pass'."

He added: "The poets of the Safavid and Qajar eras, especially poets such as Malek-ol-Shoara Bahar, Iraj Mirza, Aref Qazvini, Farrokhi Yazdi, and Eshghi, also emphasized themes such as homeland, freedom, victory over the enemy, and others in their odes, ghazals, quatrains, and compositions. Pahlavi-era poets such as Dehkhoda, Nima, and Akhavan also wrote beautiful and impactful poems in this regard; including Akhavan, who in an ode has the opening line 'If I love anything from this empty world/ I love you, O ancient land', also emphasizes the necessity of patriotism and love for the manifestations of national identity in the Nimaic poem called 'Legacy'."

Nouri continued: "Poets after the revolution, such as Salman Herati, Hassan Hosseini, Qeysar Aminpour, and Mousavi Garmaroudi, and... have brilliant poems in this regard; including Salman Herati in the poem 'The Most Powerful Oppressed' recites: 'O standing in the sunny garden, known/ My homeland! O the most powerful oppressed/ I love you/ O sun-like, brave-hearted/ Death is life beside you/ O precious collection of sorrow and smile/ O humble, strong/ We stand beside you, green and tall'."

The faculty member of Lorestan University said: "Some of these poems have become so widespread that they have been imprinted in the minds and languages of all Iranians; such as the poem 'Iran, O Land of Gems', written by Hossein Golgolab, which became memorable with the beautiful voice of Ostad Banan, and the poem 'Iran, O Home of Hope' by Houshang Ebtehaj (H. A. Sayeh), which became immortal with the memorable voice of Ostad Shajarian, and now, when the vile Zionist enemy has brazenly invaded this sacred land, free, wise, and valiant Iranians are responding with all their being with a crushing and regretful response and will not stop until the complete destruction of this source of corruption."

He added: "It is also essential that in these days, poets, writers, and other artists, demonstrate the value and importance of the homeland, the necessity of unity and solidarity, and self-sacrifice in the defense of religion and the homeland to everyone, especially the youth, adolescents, and children, through beautiful and impactful artistic language and expression, and inspire them to this great work; so that patriotism takes root in their hearts and they are always the guardians and protectors of their homeland."