By Samaneh Aboutalebi

Books, poetry, culture of resistance: cultural legacy of Ayatollah Khamenei

TEHRAN- On February 28, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, was martyred in a coordinated attack by Israel and the United States that struck his office in central Tehran. His martyrdom has sent shockwaves through the country and across the Muslim world.

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Ayatollah Khamenei’s political role was known around the globe. But to many Iranians, another side of him was equally important: his deep connection to culture, literature and ideas. For decades, he spoke passionately about books, poetry, and the life of the mind.

A lifelong reader

Born in Mashhad in 1939 into a religious family, Ali Khamenei’s earliest education unfolded in an environment steeped in both religious scholarship and Persian literary heritage.

In speeches to students, teachers and cultural groups, he often talked about why reading matters. To Ayatollah Khamenei, books were more than sources of information — they were tools for strengthening identity and fostering resilience. He encouraged people from all walks of life to read widely, arguing that a well-informed society would be better equipped to face challenges and resist outside pressures.

He did not just talk about reading. Over the years, he backed public book fairs, pushed initiatives aimed at promoting literacy, and called on publishers and cultural institutions to bring books to a wider audience.

Among genres he personally encouraged were works of history, culture, philosophical inquiry, ethical reflection, and even contemporary fiction. He saw in these genres a means to educate citizens about their heritage while equipping them to navigate modern challenges.

Poetry as a cultural anchor

Perhaps more than any other art form, poetry occupied a central place in Ayatollah Khamenei’s cultural universe. In Iran, poetry is not an abstract luxury — it is woven into everyday conversation, political debate and personal expression. Ayatollah Khamenei quoted classical Persian poets such as Hafez, Rumi and Ferdowsi, using their lines to underline points about morality, courage and national pride.

Beyond quoting, Ayatollah Khamenei actively engaged with contemporary poets. He attended poetry gatherings — including those held during significant religious periods like Ramadan — where poets recited their works, and he offered commentary. Witness accounts from these sessions describe him discussing meter, imagery, symbol, and emotional resonance with a level of detail that suggested careful study rather than casual appreciation.

Resistance beyond politics

“Culture of resistance” was a phrase Ayatollah Khamenei used often. He saw resistance not only as a political stance but as a cultural one — rooted in dignity, memory and self-confidence.

He argued that before a nation can stand strong politically or economically, it must first be strong in its ideas. In that spirit, writers and artists were encouraged to explore themes like justice, perseverance and moral courage. Stories about the Iran-Iraq War, accounts of endurance and narratives about personal sacrifice were often highlighted as expressions of this idea.

Literature, in this framework, became a means of preserving memory and transmitting values to future generations.

He also extended the concept of resistance beyond Iran’s borders, linking it to broader regional and global movements that opposed domination and inequality. In this sense, the Culture of Resistance was presented as both national and transnational—a shared ethical stance against perceived injustice.

Through speeches, institutional support for cultural initiatives, and symbolic participation in literary gatherings, he positioned cultural resistance as an enduring pillar of national identity. Whether interpreted as ideological steadfastness or cultural self-assertion, the concept became a defining feature of his broader cultural narrative.

Cultural independence in a global age

Ayatollah Khamenei was also vocal about the influence of global media and foreign culture. He warned against simply adopting external cultural trends without reflection, arguing that doing so could weaken a society’s sense of self. Instead, he urged Iranian creators to draw on their own history, language and experiences.

This view shaped his approach to everything from literature and film to language use. He often spoke about the importance of Persian not just as a means of communication, but as an expression of cultural identity.

Support for writers, artists, and intellectuals

Throughout his leadership, Ayatollah Khamenei met with writers, filmmakers and intellectuals. These encounters ranged from formal gatherings to quieter conversations about responsibility, ethics and the role of culture in society.

He urged historians and memoirists to document key moments in Iran’s modern history — including the 1979 revolution and the war with Iraq — so future generations could understand not just what happened, but why it mattered.

Although Ayatollah Khamenei placed particular emphasis on literature and poetry, he acknowledged the power of cinema and visual arts to shape public imagination.

Religion, language, and cultural identity

Ayatollah Khamenei’s cultural outlook was deeply shaped by religious values. He often described culture in terms of its moral and spiritual impact, insisting that literature and art should align with ethical principles and contribute to the moral elevation of individuals and society.

Language, especially Persian (Farsi), was central to this perspective. He considered linguistic clarity and elegance as crucial to preserving cultural authenticity. In several speeches, he warned against the uncritical importation of foreign linguistic styles, arguing that language reflects a people’s soul and collective history.

By promoting classical Persian poetry and literature, Ayatollah Khamenei sought to anchor contemporary Iranian culture in centuries-old traditions, thereby reinforcing a sense of continuity and pride.

A routine of thought

Even with the demands of leading the country, those close to him said Khamenei maintained a steady intellectual routine. Books, articles and reflection were part of his daily life — a habit, not a hobby.

He also spoke directly to young people, urging them to make reading and critical thinking central to their development. To him, a generation grounded in literature and ideas would be better prepared to shape Iran’s future.

A legacy beyond politics

The martyrdom of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in the attack on February 28 marked a dramatic end to a life that intertwined religion, politics, and culture.

While his political legacy will be debated for years, the cultural imprint he leaves behind — in his words, in the works he championed, and in the ideas he promoted — will be part of how he is remembered.