Iran Heritage Foundation

Home
United Kingdom
London
Iran Heritage Foundation

Non-political UK Charity (1001785)

For the past 30 years, the Iran Heritage Foundation has ensured Iran’s vibrant culture, history and language are wide-reaching and relevant on the Global stage. The Iran Heritage Foundation is a non-political UK registered charity with the mission to promote and preserve the history, languages and cultures of Iran and the Persianate world.

09/10/2026

One week ago, we gathered at the Ragged School for the opening of ‘A Geography of Siege’, curated by Vali Mahlouji.

The exhibition is on view until 30 October, bringing together photography and moving-image works by internationally recognised artists. These works explore how violence outlasts conflict, displacement and upheaval, and how the aftermath of such events continues to shape people, places, memory and experience.

The Iran Heritage Foundation is proud to support an exhibition that fosters creativity and new perspectives in art.

The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

01/10/2026

Mehregan is an ancient Iranian festival honouring Mithra, the deity of light, friendship, love and the autumn harvest.

Rooted in Zoroastrianism, the festival falls on the 16th day of the month of Mehr (2nd October) and marks the beginning of the harvest season. Once called Mithrakana, meaning “belonging to Mithra” in Avestan, it is believed that it was originally aligned more closely with the equinox.

Commemorated since the Achaemenid period (550-330 BC), it was a celebration of great importance and grandeur and this is reflected in its repeated attestation in classical sources.

The Greek geographer Strabo (64 BC-24 AD) reports that the Armenian governor sent the King 20,000 horses at the Mithrakana festival, and documents the Persians’ widespread worship of Mithra.

Ctesias of Cnidus (late 5th- early 4th century BC), a Greek physician serving at the Achaemenid court, records that the King was permitted to become intoxicated solely on the day when sacrifices were offered to Mithra. Duris of Samos (c.340-260 BC) confirms this record, adding that the King performed a dance in honour of Mithra.

These are but a few of the numerous records of Mehregan and Mithra's worship in Iran. Together they suggest Mithrakana was a major Achaemenid festival, its influence later echoed in Rome as the cult of Mithras.

Today, the celebration of Mehregan was designated UNESCO protected as the Intangible Heritage of Humanity. At the heart of the festival is a table of seasonal produce - pears, grapes, pomegranates, apples, rice, wheat - decorated with dried marjoram and symbolic items such as a bowl of water, nuts, sweets, rose water and esfand (wild rue). Sormeh (traditional kohl eyeliner) is worn as a good omen, and the day is marked with music, dancing, and joy in gratitude for nature’s bounty.

The Iran Heritage Foundation wishes you a Mehregan filled with abundance🍁

Images via the New Mithraeum, Wellcome Collection, Philippe Chavin, CAIS, Sofreh, Adam Jones.

The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

29/09/2026

Last week, we gathered at Aga Khan Foundation to commemorate the Centenary of the esteemed scholar Muhammadjon Shakuri Bukhoroyi.

The film ‘Muhammadjon Shakuri: The Knight of Khorasan’ by Sohrab Zia, together with speakers who knew him personally, provided a valuable insight into his life as a scholar and philologist, as well as his role in preserving Tajik identity and his impact on the Persian language.

The Iran Heritage Foundation is proud to have supported this commemoration of such a notable figure and raised awareness of his impact in the Persianate world. Thank you to all who attended.

The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

28/09/2026

Khatamkari | خاتم کاری

Khatamkari is a centuries-old Iranian inlay technique that transforms wood and metal into intricate geometric mosaics.

Etymologically, the name stems from the Persian khatam (‘inlaying’) and kari (‘craftsmanship’). It has been practised continuously in Esfahan, Shiraz and Tehran for at least 700 years.

Its early development unfolded through the Seljuk (1038-1194) and Timurid (1370-1458) periods, when inlaid doors and architectural elements were crafted for royal palaces, mosques and shrines. Later, the craft reached the wider public through objects such as Qur’an boxes, frames, mirrors, chessboards and musical instruments, and it reached its golden age under royal patronage during the Safavid dynasty (1501–1736).

A refined form of marquetry, this craft adorns wooden surfaces with delicate inlays shaped into precise, repeating patterns - even an average piece may contain over 400 inlays per square inch. The process is highly intricate:
- Thin rods of differently coloured woods, ivory, bone, brass, silver and other materials are glued together into long bundles with a round, rectangular, or polygonal cross-section.
- These bundles are cut into thin slices, which are then combined with other slices to create complex motifs, most commonly the geometric star and polygon patterns. In a single square centimeter, as many as 250 individual pieces can be fitted side by side.
- The panel is pressed flat, sanded smooth across the face and finished with oil or lacquer to seal and protect the surface while maintaining the depth of the inlay.

Today, Esfahan remains the hub of this art form, having been designated a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art in 2015.

Images via Pilardi, Iran Handicraft Tours, Narcis Hostel,

The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

19/09/2026

The Iran Heritage Foundation is pleased to announce its support for ‘A Geography of Siege’, curated by Vali Mahlouji and on view at the Ragged School Museum from 1 to 30 October as part of PhotoMonth 2026.

The exhibition brings together photography and moving-image works by internationally recognised artists exploring the persistence of violence beyond events of conflict, displacement and upheaval, and the ways in which their aftermath continues to shape people, places, memory and experience.

The IHF is proud to support artists and cultural initiatives that encourage new perspectives, foster dialogue and deepen our understanding of art, history and cultural heritage in an interconnected world.

16/09/2026

The Iran Heritage Foundation is pleased to announce our support for the Centenary of Muhammadjon Shakuri Bukhoroyi on September 25th.

Muhammadjon Shakuri (1925/6–2012) was a distinguished scholar, philologist, literary critic, member of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan and of Iran’s Academy of Persian Language and Literature, and one of the founders of modern Tajik culture.

Bringing together speakers who knew him personally, this gathering offers a broader reflection on the intellectual and cultural history of twentieth-century Tajikistan through talks, poetry and film.

The IHF is pleased to support this commemoration of such a notable figure in the Persianate world through grants awarded by its Academic Committee.

Email to register via this link https://mshakuri.cargo.site/

31/08/2026

Minakari | میناکاری

Minakari is an ancient Iranian enameling technique that involves decorating metal surfaces with vibrant, coloured glazes and intricate designs.

Etymologically, the term minakari stems from the Persian mina (‘heaven’ or ‘sky’) and kari (‘craftsmanship’). Translating literally to "the art of heaven," this name pays homage to its signature cobalt-blue glaze which was intended to capture the very essence of the sky.

Iranian enameling has roots reaching back to 1500 BC, with metal-based glazing emerging between 600 and 400 BC. Notable early examples of polychromatic metalwork from this broader tradition include an inlaid earring (c.6th-4th century BC) set with turquoise, lapis lazuli and carnelian, as well as a gold Achaemenid armband from the Oxus Treasure (550-330 BC), which would have been similarly embellished with vibrant stone inlays.

Minakari as we recognize it today was perfected in Safavid Esfahan (1501-1736), where it flourished in the celebrated workshops that bordered the grand Naghsh-e Jahan Square. The process is intricate and complex:

Etching - Skilled metalsmiths shape the base (vases, trays, or jewelry) and etch intricate geometric, floral or mythological designs into metals like copper, silver or even gold.
Colouring - The engraved grooves are filled with powdered metallic oxides to create vivid, contrasting tones.
Firing - The piece is fired in a kiln, where intense heat melts the enamel, allowing it to bond seamlessly to the metal surface.
Polishing - Finally, the hardened enamel is polished to a brilliant, glassy finish that ensures both lasting durability and a radiant glow.

Today, Minakari is part of daily life as vases, table wear and jewellery. Each piece is a testament to Iranian craftsmanship and a reminder that history’s impact lives on in the present.

Images via The MET, © The Trustees of the British Museum, Shokat Esmaeilzadeh,

The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

18/08/2026

Alamut Castle
📍Alamut region, Qazvin province
⛏️865 AD, the Justanids

Situated on a colossal mountain 200 metres above the valley floor, this ancient fortress is internationally renowned for its rich and turbulent history.

Alamut (literally 'eagle's nest') is a ruined fortress in Iran's Qazvin province, 130 miles from Tehran. Accessible only by a narrow, winding path, it is one of seven fortresses that formed one of medieval Iran's most sophisticated mountain defence networks across the Alborz valleys.

Archaeological studies have uncovered sophisticated water systems, ingenious fortifications, and strategic mountain architecture - innovations that enabled the fortress to withstand prolonged sieges. Historical accounts also describe it as a centre of learning, with a significant library and thriving scientific activity.

Most famously, it was the stronghold of the Nizari Ismaili state under Hasan-i Sabbah (1090–1124 AD), serving for nearly two centuries as its political, military, and intellectual centre. From here, Sabbah challenged Seljuk (1037-1194 AD) authority, and the fortress gained notoriety for the assassins.

Captured by the Mongols in 1256 (1219-1258), Alamut was partially destroyed and its library burned. It was later restored as a Safavid (1501-1736) prison until it was abandoned in the 18th century and gradually ruined by the elements and treasure-seekers.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2026, Alamut Castle and its six associated fortifications became Iran's 30th World Heritage Site – placing the nation tenth globally. These ancient fortifications offer a crucial insight into Iran’s diverse history.

Images via Aliazizollahi, Alireza Javaheri, Ninara, Elaheabed, Payampak, Ahmadrezarafati.

The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

13/08/2026

Last week more than 500 academics from across the globe converged in Utrecht, the Netherlands, for the Fifteenth Biennial Iranian Studies Conference.

The programme was richly varied, with talks spanning history, film, poetry and beyond, as we learned about new explorations of the Persianate world from antiquity to the present day. Thought-provoking discussions unfolded throughout the conference, offering fresh insights into the latest research shaping the field.

The Iran Heritage Foundation is proud to have supported this event, organised by the Association for Iranian Studies in collaboration with the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Utrecht University. This marks the third AIS conference that IHF has had the privilege of supporting, having previously sponsored the conferences in Istanbul and Vienna.

For over 35 years, we have championed the richness of Iranian culture and heritage – and supporting this conference was a natural extension of our mission.

The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

30/07/2026

The IHF Modern Iran Series is a new Open Access, peer-reviewed academic book series published by Bloomsbury Academic. The Iran Heritage Foundation is proud to be supporting successful applicants by covering their Open Access publication costs.

The deadline for the third round of submissions is 31st August 2026.

To submit your proposal, please complete the form and forward it to Hassan Hakimian (Series Editor) and Rory Gormley (Senior Commissioning Editor at Bloomsbury Academic). The form and submission guidelines are available via this link: https://ihf.org.uk/call-for-book-proposals-ihf-modern-iran-series-june-2026/

The series publishes innovative Open Access books on modern and contemporary Iran. Covering the period from the late nineteenth century to the present day, it welcomes original scholarship across a broad range of subjects, including culture, society, politics, and economics.

We look forward to the publication of the forthcoming volumes and the fresh insights they will bring to the study of modern and contemporary Iran, further advancing our mission to promote and preserve Iran's rich cultural heritage.

The Iran Heritage Foundation promotes and protects the cultural heritage of Iran, ancient, medieval and modern.

Address

Viglen House Alperton Lane
London
HA01HD

Website

https://ihf.org.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Iran Heritage Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.