Also available in Persian — نسخه فارسی EN فا
❓ Unknown

The Uncertain Fate of Sadegh Hedayat's Manuscripts

Feb 8, 2026 February 8, 2026 2 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Jahangir Hedayat, the nephew of the famous Iranian author Sadegh Hedayat, has requested the return of his uncle's manuscripts from Amir Kabir Publishing, but the National Library of Iran has stated it has no responsibility in this matter. Concerns have been raised about the preservation and accuracy of Hedayat's works, which could impact future generations' understanding of his literary contributions.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The struggle to preserve Sadegh Hedayat's manuscripts underscores the challenges of maintaining literary heritage in Iran.

👥 Key Players

Jahangir Hedayat MENTIONED
Nephew of Sadegh Hedayat
"He is advocating for the preservation and accurate representation of his uncle's literary works."
Sadegh Hedayat MENTIONED
Renowned Iranian author
"Considered one of the most significant figures in modern Persian literature, his works are crucial for understanding Iranian culture and literature."
Dr. Habibollah Azimi MENTIONED
Director of the manuscript section of the National Library of Iran
"He represents the official stance on manuscript preservation and has influence over cultural heritage policies."
Amir Kabir Publishing MENTIONED
Publisher holding Hedayat's manuscripts
"They are responsible for the current condition and publication of Hedayat's works, impacting their accessibility and accuracy."

📰 What Happened

Jahangir Hedayat has requested the return of his uncle Sadegh Hedayat's manuscripts from Amir Kabir Publishing, but the National Library of Iran has stated it is not responsible for retrieving these works. Concerns have been raised about the preservation and accuracy of Hedayat's literary contributions.

  • The National Library of Iran claims it cannot retrieve Hedayat's manuscripts.
  • Jahangir Hedayat has expressed dissatisfaction with the current condition and accuracy of his uncle's published works.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: The preservation of Sadegh Hedayat's works is vital for maintaining Iranian cultural identity and literary history.
🌍 Regional: This issue highlights broader concerns about cultural preservation in the Middle East, where many historical texts are at risk.
🌐 International: The fate of Hedayat's manuscripts may attract attention from literary scholars and institutions worldwide, emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage.

📚 Background

Sadegh Hedayat is a pivotal figure in Persian literature, and his works have influenced generations. The debate over manuscript preservation reflects larger issues of cultural heritage management in Iran.

Cultural heritage preservation Persian literature and its impact
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The article presents a factual account of the situation without apparent bias, focusing on the perspectives of key stakeholders.

Following the request of Jahangir Hedayat, the nephew of Sadegh Hedayat, to the officials responsible for preserving historical manuscripts for the retrieval of Hedayat's manuscripts from Amir Kabir Publishing, the director of the manuscript section of the National Library of Iran stated that this institution has no responsibility for recovering these works. According to Jahangir Hedayat, part of the remaining manuscripts of Sadegh Hedayat, including 'The Legend of Creation', is currently held by Amir Kabir Publishing, which does not have the capability to maintain these manuscripts accurately and to standard, and these documents are not kept in optimal conditions. Sadegh Hedayat, born on February 17, 1903, in Tehran, created unparalleled literary works during his tumultuous 48 years of life, including 'The Benefits of Vegetarianism' (1924), 'Buried Alive' (1929), 'Parvin, Daughter of Sasan' (1930), the collection 'Three Drops of Blood' (1932), the collection 'The Shadow of Roshan' (1933), 'The Owl and the Nightingale' (1934), 'The Blind Owl' (1936), the collection 'The Stray Dog' (1942), 'Haji Agha' (1945), and 'The Legend of Creation' (1946), among others. Meanwhile, Dr. Habibollah Azimi, the director of the manuscript section of the National Library, stated regarding the library's efforts to retrieve these works: 'Retrieving the works and writings of all authors and intellectuals, including Sadegh Hedayat, is not the responsibility of the National Archives and Library Organization, and this organization can only encourage Amir Kabir Publishing to transfer the works of this author through incentive policies and negotiation.' He emphasized that if Hedayat's manuscripts are handed over to the National Library, the publishing rights will still remain with Amir Kabir Publishing, and added: 'A committee should be formed to collect the works of national authors and intellectuals under a codified law and to transfer these works to the National Library and Archives Organization or museums for the preservation of this national heritage.' Jahangir Hedayat had previously expressed concern about the distortions and numerous typographical errors in the reprinted works of this renowned Iranian author, stating: 'As Hedayat's survivors, we are very dissatisfied with the printing status of his works; it seems that due to the numerous typographical errors, the younger generation in the future will no longer be able to become acquainted with the real Sadegh Hedayat.'

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

📰 Related Coverage

⚖️ Independent Platform — Artesh.com is not affiliated with any government, military, or political organization. Editorial Policy →