Pasargad Heritage Foundation Statement on Cyrus the Great Day

This year is the 15th year that Iranians are celebrating October 29th , known as “Cyrus the Great Day.” On this day, people from all over Iran go to Pasargadae (the ancient capital of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great, 559–530 BC, and the location of Cyrus’ tomb) and pay homage to Iran’s most important national and historical figure. Many Iranians, both at home and all across the corners of the globe, celebrate this glorious day.
Unfortunately, as the popularity of Cyrus the Great Day grows and people around the world continue to celebrate this historical day, the Islamic State ruling Iran has established numerous forms of harassment and persecution to prevent Iranian people from celebrating the festivities and visiting Pasargad.
In recent years, as the Iranian government and enemies of Persian culture and history have become more hostile towards celebrating Cyrus the Great, it is fortunate that his life and the love and affection of Iranian people for the beloved Persian leader has increased. Cyrus’ life has global importance and the understanding of how his human rights charter impacts history has great significance.
Naturally, a prime reason for the current attention to Cyrus the Great and his charter (the Cyrus Cylinder charter of human rights) is the development of an understanding of the importance of human rights. It is also due to the oppressive and abysmal conditions imposed by the Islamic regime on the Iranian people.
The decree of Cyrus the Great on human rights 2550 years ago was the first to confer tolerance, freedom of religion, abolition of forced labor, and the pursuit of prosperity and peace. In contrast to Cyrus’ charter, the Iranian nation in the 21 st century is experiencing inhumanity, injustice, and cruelty under the Islamic government. It is by this simple and clear comparison that people can understand the importance of the role of a human rights charter and laws. Celebration of Cyrus does not mean just looking at the history of ancient times. It means understanding the humanitarian concepts and ideas that can still be embraced today.
It is clear that the Islamic State and its affiliated individuals and organizations cannot suppress the love of Iranian culture and patriotism of Iranian people for their identity and history by force and violence. After forty years of extensive propaganda by the Islamic state, they have failed to replace the Persian culture of joy and wisdom with sadness, fear, and retribution.
This year, on the eve of Cyrus the Great Day, the Pasargad Heritage Foundation calls on the people of the world, those who love Iran and are believers in human rights, to celebrate this day more beautifully and gloriously than ever before.

With love and affection,

Shokooh Mirzadegi
From the Pasargad Heritage Foundation
October 2019
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