Iran proposes naming BRICS award after national poets

By presenting an innovative proposal at the BRICS 2025 Literary Award event in Jakarta, Iran emphasized the importance of the link between literature and cultural diplomacy and called for an annual award to be named after the national poets of the member countries.

This proposal was made by Hamid Nazarkhah Alisaraei, an Iranian poet and writer and the national coordinator of the BRICS Literary Network in Iran, on the sidelines of the announcement of the final list.

He emphasized: “The BRICS Literary Prize is the first international prize that focuses on cultural, human and indigenous values, and its judging is completely independent of politics. Our proposal is that this prize be held every year in the name of one of the national poets of the member countries; for Iran, it could be a reminder of literary greats such as Hafez, Saadi or Rumi.”

He also added: “Translating the works of selected authors into the official languages ​​of the member countries is an important step in expanding cultural convergence and literary dialogue among nations.”

At the ceremony, the final list of the BRICS Literary Award 2025 was announced, and Iranian author Mansour Alimoradi was introduced as Iran’s representative among the 10 selected authors from the BRICS member countries. Other nominees are from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Egypt.

"This award is an opportunity for contemporary writers to get to know each other and strengthen mutual understanding, cultural empathy and friendly ties between nations," said Vadim Triukhin, co-chair of the BRICS Literary Network.

Iran's presence among the final candidates and the presentation of this cultural proposal is a sign of the growing position of Iranian literature in the international arena and a new effort to expand cultural diplomacy through literature.

The presence of Mansour Alimoradi on the final list of this award is a sign of the growing position of Iranian literature in international cultural interactions. Experts believe that Iranian literature, relying on its deep human and poetic heritage, can play an important role in introducing authentic Iranian culture and expanding literary dialogue among nations within the framework of BRICS cultural cooperation.

The BRICS Literary Award was established in November 2024 at the first "Traditional Values ​​Forum" in Moscow and supports writers whose works reflect the cultural and spiritual values ​​of the member nations.

The first stage of judging and announcing the long list was held last month at the second "BRICS Traditional Values ​​Forum" in Brazil, and the final winner is scheduled to be announced on November 27 this year in Khabarovsk, Russia.