DUSHANBE, July 26, 2026 (NIAT Khovar) — The legendary epic “Shahnameh” by Abulqasim Ferdowsi has won the Grand Prix at the 23rd International Book Art Competition of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), held in Minsk, Belarus, the Ministry of Culture of Tajikistan reported.

The edition of “Shahnameh” was published in 2025 on the initiative of President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and presented to households across the country.

Several other Tajik publications were also recognized at the competition. The book “The Art of Tajik Embroidery” won first place in the “Decorative Art” category, while a number of works received awards in the categories of “Dialogue of Cultures,” “Science and Education,” and “Books for Children and Young People.”

More than 70 books from six CIS countries participated in this year’s competition, which highlights the best publications released in 2025–2026.

The International Book Art Competition, established in 2004, serves as an important platform for promoting publishing achievements and strengthening cooperation among CIS countries in the field of literature and book publishing.

The award ceremony for the winners will be held in Moscow in September 2026 ahead of Tajikistan’s Independence Day.