Tehran’s special celebration, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Persian New Year’s Knowles and official relations between Iran and Hungary, took place in Budapest, Hungary.
“This year marks the 100th anniversary of Iran-Hungary’s diplomatic relations. To celebrate this opportunity, in collaboration with Islamic culture and affiliated organizations, the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Budapest has invited them to play Nakkari during this festival in Hungary.
She explained that she has performed in Budapest in total three times. The first was held at the Iranian Embassy, attended by ambassadors, diplomats, cultural and academic figures, and Iranian families living in Hungary. The second was held at the University of Etves Roland (ELTE), sponsored by the research office of the Faculty of Humanities, the university’s Graduate School of Iran, in collaboration with Professor Ivan Sisanto, a well-known Hungarian Iranologist. The third performance was held at Semmelweis Medical University for university students.
In all performances, Jahhandsto captivated the audience with the incredible tale of Shaname’s Knowles, Feldousi’s legendary Persian epic.
Regarding viewer reception, Jahandast said: “I run Bilingan State in Persian and English, so both non-Iranian audiences can become familiar with Persian language and follow the storyline, which will connect you more deeply with the story.
At an event held at the Iranian Embassy in Budapest, Jahhandsto told the naming of Knowles by Jamsid and the love story of Shahname Bihan and Maniye in both Persian and English.
Nima Saeed Moghadam, an Iranian student in Budapest, was accompanied by a performance in a recital of a solo kamanche (traditional Iranian bow instrument).
Additionally, guests were introduced to a table where you can see Iranian haft and its symbolic meaning and ritual. At the end of the program, Jahhandsto also conducted a Hafez fortune-telling session.
When asked how she incorporated Nowruz tradition into Naqqali, she said: Interestingly, there was a poet named Miharry Kusokonai Vitas (1773–1805), who wrote the poem in praise of Hafez.
The celebration was attended by ambassadors from countries within the Knowledge culture, such as Pakistan, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, and ambassadors from Russia, China, Belarus and Japan.
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Hungary announced that similar events will be held in the future to further strengthen cultural and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Another event featured another Nakkari performance by Bahale Jahhandsto at the University of Etvos Roland, one of Budapest’s oldest and most well-known institutions. The event was well received by students from Iranian research and various other fields.
Professor Ivan Sisanto, professor at the University of Iran and head of Iran’s research department, is Elte’s director of Iran’s research department, praised Shaname and Knowles, and attracted more attention from Western universities to Iran’s rich literary heritage.
At the event, Jahhandsto not only played Nakkari, but also highlighted the theme of peace and the universal message of Feldousi’s poetry as an important cultural and literary element of Iran.
Another event was held at Semmelweis University, due to positive responses from the Hungarian academic and artistic community and from the active community to Nakkari, Shahname and Knowles.
Speaking about her experience performing in a university setting overseas, she said: “Contrary to my initial assumption that running Nakkari in an academic environment could be challenging, the atmosphere was actually very welcome and open to Shaname.
“Shahnameh is a unique literary masterpiece filled with grand, romantic, mythical stories. Its storytelling style perfectly matches the story traditions around the world, offering Iranian culture, art, and even ancient Persian governance and political traditions. Having performed in many countries, Naqqal strives to promote better connection and understanding in order to adapt the language of my story to the cultural context of each audience,” Jahandoost added.
In another cultural initiative of Knowles, the Budapest Ethnic Museum exhibited Iranian Kalamkar (block printed textile) tablecloths, commonly from the Kajal era.
Bahareh Jahandoost has been involved in theater since he was seven years old and trained with famous Iranian Naqqal and Morshed Vali-Allah Torabi. Using traditional forms of tales through the Nakkari Theatre, she has performed in China, France, Hungary, India, Italy, Russia and Turkey.
“I have been published by narrating epic stories supplied in classical literature and folk texts. These are popular, widely known and highly regarded throughout Iran. Spirits.
Photo: Bahale Jahhandsto, narrator of Iranian Nakkal and Shaname, will perform Nakkal in Budapest, Hungary.
SS/SAB