Shahryar Adl: A Lifetime of Quiet Service to Iran

Shahryar Adl passed away in Paris on Sunday, June 31, after a lifetime dedicated to the culture and history of Iran, at the age of 72. He was born in Tehran in 1943 and moved to Paris in 1959 to continue his education, starting his university studies at the Sorbonne in history. He then attended the Louvre School to study history and art, archaeology of the East, and the history of Islamic arts. He later went to the École des Beaux-Arts in France, where he earned his doctorate. His thesis was titled 'The Victories of Homayoun' and focused on the wars of Shah Abbas. He took the first steps to register Iran's ancient artifacts in the global cultural heritage, and in October 2009, he was awarded the UNESCO World Culture Medal on behalf of the five continents. One of his friends, Dariush Shayegan, a philosopher and thinker, recalled him in an interview with Radio Farda: 'Mr. Shahryar Adl served this country quietly for a lifetime without making himself known. His thought was to save the historical artifacts of this country. He was unique in his field. We have lost a very important person. He tried to restore and introduce the great past of the country to UNESCO as much as he could. I extend my condolences to the people of Iran on his death.' Ali Dehbashi, editor of the Bukhara quarterly, also spoke about Shahryar Adl's passing: 'I had the honor of having Dr. Shahryar Adl publish several writings in our magazine, Kelk and Bukhara. He was a symbol of a great Iranian who always thought about the overall concept of Iranian culture in his work. All his efforts will later reveal how much he worked for the registration of Iran's great cultural heritage in global forums. The historical signs of great Iran were introduced and registered to the world.' Shahryar Adl's body is set to return to his homeland, Iran, to be buried in the land he loved. May his soul rest in peace.