The Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts announced on Wednesday the official registration of the traditional ceremony marking the beginning of the school year in the national register of the country's intangible cultural heritage.
Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri stated that this ceremony was entered into the register to recognize the significance of schools in shaping the historical memory and cultural identity of generations of Iranians.
He emphasized that registering the ceremony in the national intangible heritage list allows for remembrance of the sacred place that the school occupies in the historical memory of the Iranian people, and the school bell marks the beginning of part of the country's cultural and artistic memory.
These statements were made during an event dedicated to the start of the 2026-2027 academic year at Shahid Behzadi Primary School in Tehran, where a registration plaque was also presented.
The event was attended by First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, Minister of Education Alireza Kazemi, Tehran Governor Mohammad Sadegh Motamadian, and other officials.
Salehi Amiri noted that the school is more than just a place of formal education; it represents a shared experience that has contributed to the formation of individual and social identity across different generations.
He urged students to learn not only subjects but also from Iran, encouraging them to realize the historical foundations upon which the country has been built and preserved by subsequent generations.
The Minister also mentioned that many famous figures and officials present at the ceremony once studied in classrooms and at school desks themselves.
According to Salehi Amiri, the national registration of this ceremony reflects the importance of preserving customs and rituals shared by successive generations, defining them as an integral part of Iran's intangible cultural heritage and identity.