WANA (Nov 06) – A ceremony unveiling a statue titled “Kneeling Before Iran” is scheduled to take place on Friday, November 7, in Tehran’s Enghelab Square. According to organizers, the statue represents one of the most well-known scenes from ancient Iranian history.
The sculpture depicts the capture of Valerian, the Roman emperor, by Shapur I of the Sassanid Empire in the 3rd century AD. Tehran’s Beautification Organization has described the project as part of a broader cultural campaign called “Once Again, You Kneel Before Iran,” aimed at reinforcing historical identity and social cohesion among citizens.
Alongside this statue, thirteen other historical and cultural installations are set to be unveiled, each representing different periods of resilience and resistance in Iranian history. Among them are statues of Mirza Kuchak Khan Jangali, Qassem Soleimani, and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, which will be placed around the square.
The first image of the statue of Valerian, now installed in Enghelab Square, has also been released. Social media /WANA News Agency
Mehdi Mazhabi, the head of Tehran’s Beautification Organization, explained the purpose of the project, saying: “This collection reflects the enduring resilience of the Iranian people in the face of challenges and recalls moments when this nation refused to back down.”
He added that the event continues the “Once Again, You Kneel Before Iran” campaign, which aims to promote national solidarity through historical symbolism.
Friday’s event will include live performances by the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, artistic programs, and a large-scale light show. The city’s traffic police have announced restrictions on vehicle movement around Enghelab Square starting from 5 p.m. to manage the expected crowds.
Ahead of the upcoming event “The Night of Iran Showcase,” a new mural in Tehran’s Enghelab Square has been unveiled, featuring the slogan “Once Again, You Kneel Before Iran.”. Social media / WANA News Agency
Experts in public art have described the project as an effort to connect Iran’s historical narratives with its urban spaces. However, some cultural commentators have cautioned that using historical themes in public settings requires careful interpretation to avoid turning such symbols into political or ideological tools.
Nevertheless, Friday’s ceremony is expected to become one of Tehran’s most prominent cultural events of the year—an intersection of art, history, and collective memory that turns Enghelab Square into a space where the past and present converge.