Tehran hosted the “Smile of the Homeland” ceremony on Sunday, marking the observance of National Children’s Week in Iran. The event brought together President Masoud Pezeshkian, Education Minister Alireza Kazemi, and more than 600 children and teenagers, including those with special needs, at the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA).
Organized by IIDCYA, the ceremony featured a range of cultural and artistic programs designed to foster friendship, solidarity, and a sense of belonging among young participants. The lineup included poetry recitals, choir performances, dramatic patriotic chants, and video presentations reflecting on children’s smiles and the leadership of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. The event also honored educators working in the institute’s mobile libraries, which provide access to books and cultural activities in underserved communities.
President Pezeshkian addressed the children with a metaphor involving several sticks tied together, illustrating the strength derived from unity. He emphasized that when families, neighbors, and communities stand united, they become stronger and more resilient against division. The president encouraged the young attendees to cultivate friendships, support one another, and collaborate—a cooperation he said is essential for building a strong and progressive Iran.
Education Minister Kazemi highlighted this year’s National Children’s Week theme, “Children’s Smiles, the Alphabet of the Homeland.” He underscored the importance of protecting children’s rights and ensuring equal opportunities for their development, regardless of poverty, individual differences, or family circumstances. Kazemi also stressed the vital role families, schools, and cultural institutions play in nurturing children’s talents and noted IIDCYA’s significance as a national resource for fostering the creative and intellectual growth of children and teenagers.
Among the artistic contributions, Sara Goudarzi, a member of IIDCYA’s Qaf youth poetry and literature club, delivered a poetry recital, and the institute’s choir performed the song “We Must Rise.” Sarina Seifi presented a patriotic chant as part of the program. President Pezeshkian also met with 10 children with special needs from IIDCYA’s Inclusive Center No. 40 in Tehran Province during the event.
A segment of the ceremony was dedicated to recognizing the efforts of educators serving in the institute’s mobile libraries. Ali Nadi, representing these educators, received a certificate of honor and a commemorative statuette from the president. These mobile libraries travel to various regions to promote reading and cultural engagement among children and teenagers, particularly in areas where access to such resources may be limited.
The ceremony concluded with a group photograph of the children and teenagers alongside President Pezeshkian and Minister Kazemi at the Behnam Hall of IIDCYA’s Cultural and Artistic Center. National Children’s Week is held annually in early October across Iran to draw attention to children’s rights, well-being, education, and creative development through a variety of cultural and educational activities nationwide.