Honoring “Loris Chobanian” in Yerevan and Emphasizing Cultural Ties Between Iran and Armenia
At a ceremony unveiling the complete prose translation of Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh into Armenian in Yerevan, Hamid Pourmohammadi, Vice President and Head of the Planning and Budget Organization, honored Loris Chobanian, composer and conductor of the Iranian-Armenian orchestra, in recognition of decades of artistic activity and his role in introducing Iranian culture and literature.
The ceremony took place on Monday, November 9, corresponding to Aban 18, 1405 in the Islamic calendar, at the Blue Mosque in Yerevan and within the framework of the nineteenth session of the joint commission for economic cooperation between Iran and Armenia. At this event, the complete prose translation of Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh into Armenian was also unveiled; a work that presents all the stories of this epic for the first time in literary prose form to Armenian-speaking audiences.
The translation was carried out by Georg Asatrian, and Garnik Asatrian, an Iran scholar and university professor, undertook its scientific editing and introduction. According to Tasnim news agency, the translation work began in 2021 and concluded in late 2024. This illustrated work is the result of several years of research and literary effort and can provide the foundation for Armenian-speaking audiences to become more broadly acquainted with the narratives and characters of the Shahnameh.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, Hamid Pourmohammadi met with Loris Chobanian and expressed appreciation for his artistic services. Pourmohammadi, referring to this artist’s role in promoting Persian culture and literature and strengthening cultural bonds between Iran and Armenia, mentioned Chobanian’s opera “Rostam and Sohrab” and regarded the Shahnameh as a valuable source for creating musical and theatrical works.
Chobanian, recalling his long-standing interest in Ferdowsi’s epic tales from childhood, introduced the Shahnameh as one of the principal sources of inspiration in his artistic path. He emphasized the necessity of expanding cultural and artistic cooperation between the two countries and stated: “The two nations of Iran and Armenia are a single body and soul that political borders cannot separate from one another.”
At the conclusion of this meeting, an exquisite copy of the Shahnameh was presented to Chobanian. Additionally, Mehdi Shafiei, Deputy for Artistic Affairs at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, presented the Minister of Culture’s commendation plaque to him in recognition of years of activity and artistic services.
Loris Chobanian, born in 1937 in Borujerd to an Armenian family, is a recognized figure in the classical music of Iran and Armenia. As a composer and orchestra conductor, he has collaborated with numerous international orchestras and served as conductor and artistic director of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra in two terms between 1989 and 2000.
A significant portion of his compositional work is connected to Iranian epic literature. Chobanian has created works based on the Shahnameh, including the operas “Rostam and Sohrab,” “Rostam and Esfandiar,” “Siavash,” and “Zahhak.” The Iranian Ministry of Culture awarded him the Ferdowsi Medal in 2015 in recognition of these works.
He previously received the grand prize of the seventh international “Art for Peace” festival in 1398 (2019) in recognition of half a century of activity in the field of music.
The unveiling of the complete translation of the Shahnameh into Armenian and the honoring of an artist who drew inspiration for a significant portion of his works from this very literary heritage once again demonstrates the capacity of culture and art to bring nations closer together; a bond that extends beyond formal relations and political borders, rooted in the historical memory and shared experience of the peoples of Iran and Armenia.
