Razavi Story Festival Issued a Call/ Iran of Imam Reza (AS) in the Frame of Story

Azam Ravanshad, in an interview with the correspondent of Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Khorramabad, announced the commencement of registration for the 16th National Persian Razavi Story Festival. She stated that this festival, as one of the prominent programs of the 22nd International Imam Reza (AS) Festival, aims to promote Razavi culture and identify literary talents, and will be held in Lorestan province.

The Director-General of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Lorestan added that interested individuals can submit their works in two sections, "short story" and "long story," through the system at https://portal.shamstoos.ir/ until the end of Azar 1404 (December 2025). The closing ceremony of the festival will be held in Farvardin 1405 (April 2026) in Khorramabad.

Referring to the prizes for this edition, she said: In the long story section, the first to third place winners will receive 250, 200, and 150 million Rials respectively, and in the short story section, 200, 150, and 100 million Rials will be awarded. Additionally, three works in each section will be recognized with commendation prizes of 70 million Rials, and one work, voted by the audience as the popular choice, will receive a prize of 200 million Rials.

Ravanshad emphasized the role of storytelling in conveying religious and cultural concepts, stating that this festival is organized in cooperation with the International Imam Reza (AS) Cultural and Artistic Foundation, the Cultural Affairs Deputy of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and is spearheaded by the General Directorate of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Lorestan.

She added that the festival’s themes include various aspects of Imam Reza (AS)’s life, conduct, and teachings; his scientific, political, social, and educational life; his titles, favors, miracles, and blessings; themes from pilgrimage texts, prayers, and Hadiths related to Imam Reza (AS); themes from Imam Reza (AS)’s letter to Abdolazim Hasani (AS); Razavi lifestyle with an emphasis on pilgrimage culture; personal dimensions of Lady Fatemeh Masoumeh (SA); and addressing the topic of "Iran of Imam Reza (AS)" with an approach to national unity and solidarity centered on Razavi culture and conduct.

The Director-General of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Lorestan further stated that submitted works must not have been previously selected in any festival and should be uploaded in B Nazanin font, size 14, and in Word file format. Each writer can participate with a maximum of three works in each section; for the long story section, a maximum of 20,000 words, and for the short story section, a maximum of 5,000 words will be accepted by the secretariat.

She also announced the holding of workshops on literary criticism in various parts of the country as a sideline event of the festival, stating that these workshops aim to enhance writers’ skills and facilitate interaction with judges and critics.

Ravanshad concluded by saying that interested individuals can contact the festival secretariat for more information via phone number 06633201795 and Eita messenger at 09376582645.