Italy Stages Shahnameh-Inspired Play

Iranian director and critic Ali Shams staged his latest production ‘From Khutai Namak’ in collaboration with Italian actors in several cities across Italy.

The play is based on the story of Rostam and Esfandiar, two legendary heroes in the Persian epic poet Ferdowsi’s magnum opus, ‘Shahnameh’ (the Grand Book).

According to the organizers of the event, the play presents a combination of Iranian and Italian theatrical elements, Presstv said.

The drama, authored by Shams, also seeks to find a common understanding on the concept of myth in Iranian and Italian cultures. ‘From Khutai Namak’ was staged in Rome and Florence.

A classic among epic Persian poetry, ‘Shahnameh’ recounts Iran’s mythical and historical past. It was written in Persian at a time when Arabic was the main scientific and literary language of Iran.

The romance of Zal and Rudaba, the Seven Stages (or Labors) of Rostam, the tales of Rostam and Sohrab are among the most popular ‘Shahnameh’ stories.