“Iranian Studies at the Balkans“ International Symposium Opened at the Faculty of Philosophy
Today, at the University of Sarajevo Faculty of Philosophy a two-day international symposium “Iranian Studies at the Balkans“ was opened. The event is organized in cooperation with the Iranian Cultural Center with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in BiH. The aim of this scientific event is considering the perspectives and tradition of studying Persian language at regional universities, exchange of ideas, possibilities of establishing further cooperation and projects among regional academic institutions.
The addresses by UNSA Faculty of Philosophy Dean, Prof. Dr. Muhamed Dželilović, Iranian Republic Consul for the Culture in BiH, Mr. Alija Ameri, UNSA Rector, , Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, Iranian Ambassador in BiH H.E. Mahmoud Heidary and Mrs. Aida Durić on behalf of the BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs opened the event.
Recalling that the UNSA Faculty of Philosophy will celebrate its 70th anniversary, Dean Dželilović said that in past decades that Faculty had been and would remain the place for teachers and students from various parts of the world and from various studies fields.
The Iranian Embassy's Consulate of Culture, Mr. Ameri, expects that participants will get make stronger contacts among the orientalists in the Balkans and that cooperation will be established with important institutions in Iran, as well.
“In the Balkans countries, the Iranian Studies are rather noticeable and significant, and that's why we invited many scholars from this area to consolidate contacts.”
University of Sarajevo Rector, Prof. Škrijelj emphasized the long Balkanian tradition of studying Persian spiritual heritage reflecting the complex and magnificent Iranian culture and religious wisdom, well recognized through epochal Persian literary and philosophical achievements. He is also of opinion that symposia like this one are very important because they not only open a new door to modern Iranian Studies, but also enable dialogue within the scientific discourse on the historical heritage of the Balkanian people when Iran and its ancient culture are concerned, as well as its valorization and role in revitalization Islamic culture and civilization.
It was emphasized that this scientific meeting is of special importance because language, literature and culture experts will gather and exchange experience and future plans which are crucial for the scientific life in each academic community.
The Persian language and literature have been studied at the university level since the Faculty of Philosophy’s establishing in Sarajevo in 1950, and in that sense it is the only Faculty in the region where Persian language and literature are studied at the academic level.
