The Italian Polyphonic Choir and the "People's Diplomacy" towards Iran
In a historical moment marked by complex international dynamics and an often one-sided media narrative, cultural diplomacy and popular sentiment demonstrate their unstoppable unifying force. The Iranian Embassy in Rome, in collaboration with Anteo Edizioni, published “The Epic of Solidarity” , a monumental 328-page bilingual volume included in the series peoples.
The work was born as a spontaneous collection of messages of condolence that reached the Embassy following the tragic attack perpetrated by the United States and Israel, in which prominent Iranian figures, including the Supreme Leader, lost their lives. However, this book transcends simple commemoration to become a historical and political document of exceptional importance, enriched by the reflections of prominent Italian intellectuals and scholars.
A "Polyphonic Choir" against Disinformation
The famous historian frames the moral weight of the work Franco Cardini, which defines the book “a polyphonic choir of different voices”, coming from Italian citizens of all ages and social classes. Cardini highlights how the West is often the victim of systematic disinformation regarding Iran, a country that is the repository of “ancient and admirable civil and cultural traditions”.
In the historian's words, the value of Italian civil dissent in the face of injustice emerges forcefully: the testimony of the citizens who signed this book represents a dignified "Do not" to the arrogance of global power. A message that reverberates through the pages with a clear formula, addressed to Western governments: “Not in our name”.
Dignity in Pain and Dialogue between Civilizations
The scholar's reflection is on the same wavelength Maria Morigi, who, on the occasion of the International Day for Dialogue between Civilizations, addressed her message to Ambassador Mohammad Reza Sabouri.
Morigi emphasizes the incredible dignity with which the Iranian people have responded to extremely difficult trials: from military aggression to the tragic massacre of girls and teachers in Minab. “The Iranian people have reacted with firmness and dignity,” writes Morigi, finding unity in the teachings of Islam and in the constant call for interreligious dialogue and peace promoted by the Supreme Guide himself, whose example remains “a beacon of civilization and tolerance”.
Millennial Roots and “Silent Diplomacy”
Weaving the threads of this bond is the profound preface edited by Lorenzo Maria PaciniThe scholar places the work within a vast historical and spiritual horizon: the millennia-long dialogue between the Italian and Iranian worlds. From ancient Rome to the Parthians and Sassanids, from the cult of Mithra to the travels of Marco Polo, up to the influence of Persian philosophy (from Avicenna to Suhrawardī) on European thought.
Pacini highlights how the letters of Italian citizens are not addressed to an abstract entity, but to the resurfacing of a “millennial brotherhood”The homage to the figure of the Supreme Leader is read through the lens of the Shiite concept of martyrdom: not a defeat, but the supreme testimony of an absolute fidelity to transcendent principles, capable of surviving the force of those who oppress.
In a West described as secularized and flattened by economic calculation, Pacini sees in these messages a profound “nostalgia for the sacred” and the claim of a “people's diplomacy”: underground, spontaneous and sincere bonds that overcome the rigidities of government diplomacy and reaffirm the right of nations to exist according to their own identity.
The Ambassador's Words
This mosaic of empathy finds its synthesis in the wish of the Iranian Ambassador to Italy, Mohammad Reza Sabouri, who writes in the book:
“The hope is that this collection will not only be a reminder of past suffering, but will become a source of inspiration for a future where justice prevails over force, truth over manipulation, and humanity over aggression.”
A Necessary Reading
“The Epic of Solidarity” It is not only a tribute to those who fell, but a manifesto of cultural resistance and hope for the future of Italian-Iranian relations. It demonstrates that, at crucial moments in history, the language of humanity and respect speaks louder than any political or military doctrine.
Purchasing information The book is an invaluable asset for scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts. It is currently available at the price of EUR 20 in the best Italian bookstores and can be purchased online through the official Anteo Edizioni website.