The Commander of the Imam Sadiq (AS) Corps—who also serves as the Secretary-General of the National Congress of Commanders, Generals, and 2,000 Martyrs of Bushehr Province—has issued a decree appointing Abdollah Raeisi, a prominent literary and cultural figure in the province, as the Secretary of the inaugural “Third Brick” (Khesht-e Sevvom) International Festival.
According to the Public Relations office and the Secretariat of the National Congress of Commanders, Generals, and 2,000 Martyrs of Bushehr Province, the inaugural “Third Brick” (*Khesht-e Sevvom*) International Festival has been officially launched. This initiative coincides with the upcoming National Congress and aims to advance the “cultural diplomacy of resistance” on a global scale.
Brigadier General Hamid Khorramdel, Commander of the Imam Sadiq (AS) Corps and Secretary-General of the National Congress of Commanders, Generals, and 2,000 Martyrs of Bushehr Province, has appointed Abdollah Raeisi—a prominent literary and cultural figure in the province—as the Secretary of the first “Third Brick” International Festival. Raeisi has been tasked with establishing the executive structure and organizing this international event.
More than just a conventional arts event, the “Third Brick” International Festival is designed to serve as the cultural, media, and international arm of the National Congress of Commanders, Generals, and 2,000 Martyrs of Bushehr Province.
The ultimate objective of this transnational event is to artistically reinterpret the concepts of steadfastness (*paydari*), recreate the national epic, and promote the culture of resistance throughout the Islamic world.
Leveraging Bushehr Province’s strategic position as a hub of anti-colonial resistance, the festival seeks to establish a broad network connecting artists, poets, writers, and activists involved in the sphere of resistance—both nationally and internationally. In his appointment decree for Abdollah Raeisi, General Khorramdel—while emphasizing the need to align this event with the discourse of the Islamic Revolution and international steadfastness—states:
“Given your commitment, expertise, and valuable experience, you are hereby appointed as the ‘Secretary of the First International Khesht-e Sevom (Third Brick) Festival.’
In this capacity, you are entrusted with the policy-making, planning, coordination, and execution of all festival affairs, as well as the mobilization of resources from the public, institutional, artistic, media, and international spheres.
It is expected that, relying on Divine grace and collective wisdom, you will organize a transformative festival—one that befits the illustrious names and epic legacies of the proud martyrs of Bushehr Province, and aligns with the stature of the global discourse of Resistance.”
Following the official appointment of the festival secretary, the permanent secretariat of the First International “Khesht-e Sevom” Festival will commence its operations. This includes organizing various festival sections, drafting multilingual calls for submissions, and soliciting works from both domestic and international artists.
According to the secretariat, details regarding the call for submissions, the structure of the competitive categories (encompassing literature, art, media, and multimedia), and the timeline for this major international event will be announced shortly during a press conference. It is worth noting that Abdollah Raeisi—who has taken the helm of the scientific and executive leadership of this major event—holds a PhD in Persian Language and Literature. He is a prominent cultural figure, as well as an accomplished poet, writer, and literary critic. His extensive cultural and literary portfolio includes serving as the head of the Art Bureau (Hozeh Honari) of Bushehr Province, executive director of the “Zemzemeh-haye Roshan” (Clear Whispers) Cultural and Publishing Institute, and CEO of the Institute for Research and Development of Contemporary Culture. Furthermore, he has served three terms as president of the Bushehr Province Poetry and Fiction Association; taught at various higher education institutions and universities; acted as the scientific secretary for the National Short Story Festival; headed the scientific committee for the Jam National Poetry Prize; served five terms on the scientific committee for the Razavi National *Mosha’ereh* (Poetry Recitation) Festival; functioned as the executive secretary for fourteen editions of the “Unity Week” joint sessions in Bushehr Province; served as secretary for three editions of the International Festival of Poetry for the Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought; and acted as the executive secretary for the “Religion in the Local Press” festival. This impressive background demonstrates the significant academic and practical experience he brings to the leadership of this international festival.
The inaugural “Third Brick” (*Khesht-e Sevvom*) International Festival will be held with the aim of honoring the “Third Sacred Defense”—referring to the Iranian people’s defense against enemy aggression—and will feature various competitive categories.
