The local authorities distributed a two-volume edition of the epic poem "Shahnameh" by Abdulkasim Firdowsi free of charge to residents of the Gorno–Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO). The distribution of books began in the cities and districts of the Rasht region. Each family receives two volumes of the book, each of which consists of 1,200 pages.
According to Tajikistan's Deputy Minister of Culture Manuchehr Sharifzoda, who is responsible for distributing the Shahnameh in Rasht district, the books have already been distributed in Lakhsh and Tajikabad districts, and distribution is currently continuing in Rasht district. Then the two-volume book will be presented to residents of Nurabad, Sangvorsky, Rogun and Fayzabad districts.
"More than 20,000 pairs of books will be distributed to the population of the Rasht Valley," Sharifzoda said.
It is currently unknown what edition the book was released in. Earlier, the Department of Publications of the Ministry of Culture informed the Asia–Plus agency that the poem "Shahnameh" will be published in sufficient circulation and distributed among the population of all regions of Tajikistan by 2026.
The Shahnameh is published at the expense of the Reserve Fund of the President of Tajikistan.
The edition was published by the Sharky Ozod publishing house of the Executive Office of the Head of State.
The preface to the book states that it is a gift from Emomali Rahmon on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of state independence.
Each Tajik family will receive a book of "Shahnameh"
It should be noted that the order to publish and distribute the book "Shahnameh" free of charge among the population of the country was given in December 2023 by the President of Tajikistan at an international symposium in honor of the 115th anniversary of Academician Bobojon Gafurov.
In June of this year, the Ministry of Culture announced that the two–volume book was fully finished and in the process of being printed. However, due to the large size of the work and the circulation, its printing will take a long time, and distribution will begin immediately after the release of a certain number of copies.
Earlier, Shamsiddin Mukhammadiev, deputy director of the Institute of Language and Literature of the National Academy of Sciences, said that a special working group of Shahnameh specialists and researchers had been created at the NAS to prepare for publication of the book, which "submitted two large volumes of 1,200 pages to the publisher within the specified time frame."
It is reported that the text of the work has been adapted to the new spelling of the modern Tajik language.
Earlier, on March 7 of this year, President Emomali Rahmon presented the women with the first copies of the complete edition of the Shahnameh during a meeting with them.
The classic of Tajik poetry Abulkasim Firdowsi wrote his epic poem "Shahnameh" for more than 30 years. This work is considered one of the greatest epics in world literature.
Earlier, on behalf of the President and at the expense of his Reserve Fund, Bobojon Gafurov's book "Tajiks" was published in large circulation in Tajikistan. It was also distributed free of charge to each family.
