According to the Public Relations Office of the International Arbaeen Narrative Festival, a ceremony was held with the presence of Dr. Gheydari, President of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences; Hojjat al-Islam Dr. Khedavi, Head of the Office of the Supreme Leader’s Representative at the University; members of the board; a number of professors; media activists; and student artists, during which the official poster of the Fourth International “Arbaeen Narrative” Festival was unveiled.
In his remarks, Dr. Khedavi highlighted the importance of narrating the Ashura uprising, stating: “The narrative of Arbaeen is a religious and historical mission that must be carried out by the people, especially the younger generation and students. This global, media, cultural, and spiritual movement is not merely a march, but a symbol of the unity of the Islamic Ummah, resistance against oppression, and a platform for introducing the discourse of resistance and anticipation.”
Recalling the legacy of narration from Ashura by Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari, followed by Lady Zaynab (SA) and Imam Sajjad (AS), he emphasized: “The great phenomenon of the Arbaeen pilgrimage has today become a widespread popular media, and this movement must be recorded and documented for future generations through artistic and media productions.”
Joint Closing Ceremony for the Third and Fourth Festivals
Hojjat al-Islam Khedavi also referred to the postponement of the third festival’s closing ceremony, saying: “The closing of the third festival was scheduled for this year’s Muharram, but due to the martyrdom of several IRGC commanders, nuclear scientists, and innocent compatriots in the crimes of the Zionist regime, the event was postponed. Accordingly, it has been decided that the closing ceremonies of both the third and fourth festivals will be held jointly during the Fatimiyyah period.”
He added: “In the third festival, more than 5,200 works were submitted by students and artists. After judging, around 500 works advanced to the next stage, and ultimately 20 outstanding works were selected. A book compiling these works has also been prepared and will be unveiled at the closing ceremony.”
Dr. Khedavi also pointed to the new innovations in the fourth festival, stating: “This year, the Arbaeen Narrative will be held entirely by students. All students across the Islamic world can submit their works in various artistic and media formats, in different languages.”
He continued: “Alongside the competitive section, a new category titled ‘Media Activists’ has been introduced for the first time. Instead of merely submitting a single work, these individuals themselves act as ‘human media,’ narrating their journey from the beginning of the Arbaeen pilgrimage to its end. Their productions will be evaluated as a complete media package.”
He emphasized: “This category provides an opportunity to popularize the Arbaeen narrative and strengthen the role of youth in recording and disseminating the on-the-ground realities of this global movement.”
“Arbaeen Narrative”: A Global Language for Ashura and Anticipation
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the official poster of the Fourth International Arbaeen Narrative Festival was unveiled, and it was announced that submissions are now open via the festival’s official website. In his closing remarks, Hojjat al-Islam Dr. Khedavi honored the memory of the martyrs of resistance and the oppressed people of Gaza, and emphasized: “We have a duty to deliver this message to the world: the uprising of Imam Hussein (AS) is not merely a historical event, but a global movement to confront oppression. The narrative of Arbaeen is a prelude to introducing justice-seeking and paving the way for the reappearance of the universal savior. This is the lofty horizon that must resonate worldwide through the narration of committed students and artists.”
