The day of 12th Tir (July 4?) is the birthday of Babak Khorramdin Sardar and national hero of Iran.
Babak Khorramdin was born 1200 years ago, (140 years after the occupation of Iran by Muslim Arabs) and was the leader of a movement called Khorram Dinan. This movement, also known as the “Red Shirt”, was led by Babak for more than twenty years against the Abbasid caliphs and occupiers of Iran. The stories of bravery, virtues and justice of Babak and his companions even crossed the borders of Iran to other countries. Babak was finally arrested by the envoys of the Abbasid caliphs and was painfully killed, but his name is still dear and beloved for Iranians.
Babak’s tomb was for many years in a fort called Baz Baz, which is located at an altitude of 2300 meters in mountainous Azerbaijan, Iran. This fort has been known as “Babak Fortress” for centuries. And every year, on the occasion of his birthday, many Iranians from all over Iran go to this fortress and celebrate his memory by dancing and singing.
Unfortunately, after the revolution, and especially in the last few years, the Islamic government has prevented people from gathering around this fort. However, the people who are interested in Babak and his legacy continue to go to the mountains and Babak’s Fort to celebrate his birthday every year on the 12th of Tir (Iranian calendar), on the occasion of Babak’s birthday.
