TEHRAN – The 22nd Imam Reza (AS) International Festival is scheduled to be held across Iran in April 2026 and will feature diverse cultural, artistic and academic programs.
At the forefront of this important event, the International Imam Reza (AS) Foundation will welcome artists, writers and enthusiasts from Iran and abroad to participate in creating works that pay homage to this revered figure, organizers announced.
The festival has officially announced the call for entries for 32 different programs, and applications are now being accepted. This year’s theme, “Imam Reza’s (AS) Iran”, aims to promote cultural exchange both domestically and internationally and to deepen understanding of Imam Reza’s teachings.
The festival includes a wide range of activities including poetry and literature competitions such as international poetry, Arabic poetry and Turkish poetry. National poetry and story contests for children and youth are also held to promote literary talent among the younger generation.
In the performing arts sector, theater festivals, puppet shows, street theater, and scriptwriting contests are held, providing a vibrant platform for theatrical expression. In addition, digital and virtual programs such as storytelling campaigns and social media initiatives are also part of the festival’s offering.
Visual arts play an important role, with exhibitions and competitions in calligraphy, painting, sculpture, photography and contemporary art. Music and sound art will also be celebrated through a composition and performance competition highlighting the rich cultural heritage associated with Imam Reza (AS).
To highlight human excellence and foster cultural dialogue, academic conferences and research conferences are held with topics focused on ethics, spirituality, and the teachings of Imam Reza (AS).
In addition, the festival includes special programs for students from universities across the country to promote academic and educational activities. The 22nd Imam Reza (AS) International Festival aims to deepen understanding of Imam Reza’s values and promote unity and cultural growth around the world by providing an inclusive platform for cultural dialogue, artistic expression and academic exchange. Participants and interested artists are encouraged to submit their work and participate in this grand celebration of Imam Reza’s legacy.
Imam Reza (AS) International Festival is held every year in different states of the country and several other countries.
The festival includes a variety of fields including articles, plays and scripts, produced shows, stories, visual art, books, literary texts, poetry, print and digital works, and radio and television productions.
It aims to promote artistic excellence rooted in spiritual and cultural values and to inspire both artists and audiences.
SAB/