Academician Duraković addressed a message to the Ibn Sina Institute in which he expressed his congratulations to the authors and publishers of the Bosnian–Persian Dictionary. In his message, this eminent and highly respected university professor stated, among other things, that the publication of the Dictionary represents „a first-rate cultural event not only for Iranian studies, nor only for lexicology and lexicography, but for the culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole“.
The full text of Academician Duraković’s message is available below.
Esteemed Sirs,
Allow me, on this occasion, to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the authors of the Dictionary and to its publisher. In fact, I feel the need to express far more than mere congratulations. I wish to state that the publication of this Dictionary represents a first-rate cultural event not only for Iranian studies, nor only for lexicology and lexicography, but for the culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole.
Namely, Persian literature – and thus the Persian language itself, of course – ranks among the greatest in the history of humanity. I make this assertion with firm conviction, grounded in a thorough knowledge of that cultural universe. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that our own cultural heritage is deeply rooted in history and is profoundly connected with Persian culture, having become an integral part of our cultural identity.
I regard the appearance of this Dictionary as an expression of such awareness and as a very important step in the development of our Iranian studies, despite the fact that today all humanities are in crisis – as a consequence of the prevailing trend of the overall dehumanization of our world.
Thus, I consider the appearance of this Dictionary in the culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina to be a significantly important event in many ways, and I kindly ask – once again – that you convey, along with my congratulations and expressions of respect, to the authors and the publisher.
Esad Duraković
