During the period of State Independence, national self-awareness and self-respect, the defense of the country’s borders and territory, the revival of ancient traditions and customs, and the reverence for the humanitarian heritage of past Tajik writers and scholars have been revitalized thanks to the scientific, educational, and cultural policies of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, the esteemed Emomali Rahmon.

In this context, the noble initiative — the distribution of the immortal epic Shahnameh by Abulkasim Ferdowsi to every family in the country and the organization of the Republican Contest “Shahnamakhoni” in 2026 — is aimed at deepening our culturally conscious nation’s understanding of its glorious past, fostering appreciation for statehood both past and present, recognizing the value of State Independence in the modern era, and encouraging efforts toward a bright future for our homeland.

The content and meaning of this literary masterpiece acquaint the reader with difficulties, research and analysis, historical and cultural explorations, the use of rare words, diverse depictions of nature, the struggles of heroes and kings to defend their land, patriotic pride, the greatness of the Aryan civilization, and other important creative values.

Therefore, based on national and cultural values formed and developed over thousands of years — values that Ferdowsi himself considered essential to the survival of every people and land — it is necessary that youth, adolescents, children, and students are actively engaged in meaningful education and upbringing. This will inspire them today to pursue knowledge, defend their native land, demonstrate heroism and courage, uphold humanism, master their crafts and professions, and thus protect themselves from alienation and the mixing of foreign cultures and customs.

The Republican Contest “Shahnamakhoni” in 2026 is held in honor of the 35th anniversary of our sacred national holiday — the State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan — to comprehensively strengthen national identity, foster respect for the glorious history of the Tajik people, deeply studying the noble deeds of our ancestors throughout history, reinforcing the sense of self-awareness and national pride, reviving historical memory, and better understanding the role of the ancient and cultured Tajik people in the development of human civilization. All of this is reflected through undeniable evidence and based on scientific and historical sources within the immortal and valuable work of the great sage Abulkasim Ferdowsi — Shahnameh.

The contest will be held among the general population of the country, including students of general secondary education institutions, students of primary, secondary, and higher vocational education institutions, educators at all educational levels, cultural and art workers, adults, representatives of various professions, and other segments of the population, as well as foreign citizens — excluding permanent members and direct staff of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, scholars, and researchers who have conducted studies or defended academic works specifically on Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh.

The contest will consist of four stages: the first stage will be held in March 2026, and the fourth and final stage will take place in the first half of December at the National Library of Tajikistan, where the results will be announced.

The contest is held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, the esteemed Emomali Rahmon. A total of 2 million 660 thousand somoni will be allocated from the President’s Reserve Fund to reward the contest winners.

At the same time, in accordance with the aforementioned Decree, the executive authorities of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, Sughd and Khatlon provinces, the city of Dushanbe, and cities and districts of republican subordination are responsible for the high-quality organization and execution of the first, second, and third stages of the contest. They are also required to encourage and reward both the winners and their teachers in both material and moral terms.