Cyrus Day and the Closed Doors of Pasargadae
November 28th, marking the day of Cyrus, King of Persia, saw the doors of Pasargadae closed for the consecutive year once again.
Cyrus Day, which many Iranian people commemorate and attempt to honor by visiting the mausoleum of Cyrus the Great, King of Persia, faces restrictions imposed by law enforcement forces.
In Babylonian inscriptions, known as the chronicle of “Nabonidus,” it is written that Cyrus, Emperor of Persia, entered Babylon on November 28th and, after conquering the land, freed the Jews who had been enslaved, an event recognized as a human rights achievement. The symbol of this event is the “Cylinder of Cyrus,” constructed by his order, which is acknowledged as the first charter of human rights in the world.
Since 2016, when thousands of people would travel to Pasargadae to participate in Cyrus Day commemorations, they faced road closures leading to his mausoleum by law enforcement forces—a practice that has continued to the present day.
In previous years, when Iranian citizens gathered near Pasargadae for this purpose, they chanted slogans including “Iran is our homeland, Cyrus is our father,” “Prince, happy birthday,” and slogans against the Islamic Republic government. Following these gatherings, the Shiraz prosecutor arrested the organizers and filed legal cases against them.
According to reports from several domestic media outlets, the doors of Pasargadae and Persepolis have been closed for the consecutive year on November 28th, Cyrus Day, to visitors and domestic tourists. “Voice of Heritage” media, which operates in the cultural heritage sector, reported yesterday on the presence of law enforcement and security forces at Cyrus’s mausoleum, stationed there since November 24th, and the installation of barriers on roads leading to the mausoleum of Cyrus the Great, Emperor of Iran.
The media stated in a message: “Earthwork operations on the road leading to Persepolis have also begun, and despite the fact that Persepolis and Pasargadae are not officially closed tomorrow, November 28th, the roads leading to both historical monuments and Iranian tourist destinations are blocked. Despite restrictions for Iranian citizens until November 30th, foreign tour groups entering Iran have the ability to visit Pasargadae and Persepolis.”
The newspaper “Payam-e Ma” also announced yesterday that on Monday, November 28th, staff at the Pasargadae world heritage site can take leave, as no one has the right to enter this complex on that day. According to reports from the mentioned newspaper, eco-tourism operators must also shut down their operations several days in advance. During this period, Pasargadae becomes closed off and its tourism is suspended.
