April 25, 2025
Linda Blaser
Ahmad Sadri speaks at Chicago’s 2025 Nowruz celebration
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson holds Professor Ahmad Sadri’s (right) latest book. Deputy Mayor Beatriz Ponce de León (left) looks on. | Photo provided by City of Chicago
Gorter Professor of Islamic World Studies and Professor of Sociology Ahmad Sadri attended the 2025 Nowruz celebration at Chicago City Hall on April 8.
Sadri spoke at the event and presented a copy of his new translation of Shahnameh to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Deputy Mayor Beatriz Ponce de Leon.
In May, Sadri will deliver the plenary speech on the significance of Shahnameh in Persian literature at the Uncensored Books Fair in Vienna, Austria.
Sadri’s translation of the Complete Shahnameh (Epic of the Persian Kings) was published on March 18, 2025. His previous version of the Shahnameh was a best seller and is still in print.
The Shahnameh is one of the most important works in Persian literature, chronicling the mythic and historical foundations of Iran. Though it is widely known in Persian-speaking communities, it remains relatively unfamiliar to many Western audiences.
Sadri’s acclaimed translation has played a pivotal role in making this literary masterpiece more accessible, preserving both its poetic brilliance and historical significance.
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Sadri addresses the crowd during the Chicago Nowruz celebration. | Photo provided by City of Chicago
Sadri and Deputy Mayor of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights Beatriz Ponce de León. | Photo provided by City of Chicago