Ferdowsi School of Persian Literature

Introduction to Persian Manuscripts: Classical Persian through Living Books

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January 26 - February 5
2026

Instructor: Ruben S. Nikoghosyan
Languages: English, Persian
Duration: 2 weeks, 8 days (16 hours)
Frequency: 4 classes per week (Monday-Thursday)
Duration of each Class: 2 hours (6 pm Yerevan Time)
Participation Fee: 280 USD
Deadline for Applications: January 20
Location: Online (Zoom)
Level of Persian: Intermediate, Advanced

Manuscripts:

  • Kitāb al-abniya ‘an haqāiq al-adwiyya. 1056 AD
  • Florence Shahnameh, 1217 AD, Florence
  • Naṣr-Allāh Munšī, Kalīlah va-Dimnah (Persian MS 68), 1219 AD, Manchester
  • Prince Baysunghur’s Rose Garden (Gulistan) by Sa`di (Per 119), 1427 AD
  • Dawlatshāh Samarqandī (d. ca. 1494). Taẕkirat ul-Shuʻarā (Persian MS 54). Date 1749.
  • Various other manuscripts

Registration: To apply, please click the “Apply” button above. Complete all required fields and submit. Accepted applicants will receive further instructions on participation.

Note: All materials will be provided by the instructor

Credit for the background photo: (c) The David’s Collection

"Rustam greets Esfandyar on the bank of Hilmand" Folio from a Shahnama. 1341 AD (Metropolitan Museum)

Duirng this intensive online course on Persian paleographical traditions, we will examine a variety of manuscripts to understand the origins of the Persian written tradition. Through detailed readings and analysis of different styles, we will trace the development of Persian calligraphy and orthographical practices. We will also pay close attention to the evolution of the orthographical tradition of Persian in Arabic script. This complex approach will guide participants in developing a deeper appreciation of Persian manuscript culture, enabling them to engage critically with both early and later examples of Persian writing.

Course Outline

 

This intensive two-week online course delves into the manuscript traditions of Persianate societies, equipping participants with the skills to read and interpret Classical Persian handwritten materials independently.

Spanning Monday to Thursday, each two-hour session explores the rich heritage of Persian manuscripts across diverse chronological and geographical contexts.

Participants will examine a range of scripts and styles, focusing on naskh and nasta‘liq, while tracing the evolution of Persian orthographical and grammatical conventions. The course introduces historical manuscripts from early Persian documents of the early 10th century to iconic works like the Baysunghurī Gulistān (15th c.) and the Shāhnāma-yi Tahmāspī (16th c.).

Through hands-on engagement with manuscripts, participants will gain insights into the interplay between Persianate literary traditions and manuscript art, as well as the distinctive features of Classical Persian orthography and phonetics. By the end of the course, participants will be ready to approach Persian manuscripts with confidence, and deal with them independently.

Selected Manuscripts

 

Course Benefits:

  • Ability to read and interpret Classical Persian manuscripts.
  • Familiarity with key scripts, including Nasq and Nasta‘liq.
  • Knowledge of Persian orthographical traditions and their evolution.
  • Insights into historical manuscripts from diverse regions and periods.
  • Understanding of the relationship between Persianate literature and manuscript art.
  • Skills to work independently with Persian manuscripts.

Class Structure

The course consists of 8 classes of intensive study, with two-hour sessions held from Monday to Thursday during the two weeks. Below is a breakdown of the main activities during each class:

  • Discussion of questions: Reviewing and reflecting on homework manuscripts (20 minutes)
  • Reading and analysis: Close reading of selected manuscripts with paleographical and philoloical commentary (45 minutes)
  • Break: Short pause to refresh (15 minutes)
  • Reading and analysis (45 minutes)
  • Q&A and wrap-up: Open discussion and addressing participants’ questions (10 minutes)

Students are encouraged to actively participate and share their perspectives, creating a collaborative learning environment.

Methodology

This intensive introductory course on Persian manuscripts employs a holistic approach to familiarize students with the origins and development of the Persian palaeographical tradition. Beginning with the earliest surviving monuments of New Persian from the 10th century, the course explores the foundational stages of Persian calligraphical traditions.

Starting from the very first day, the participants will examine the earliest manuscripts and trace the evolution of Persian written traditions through later periods.

Throughout the course, participants will analyze various scripts, writing styles, and orthographical conventions used in Persian manuscripts. By engaging with manuscripts from different genres, students will explore the diverse paleographical practices that shaped Persian texts over time.

By the end of the course, this comprehensive approach aims to provide students with a solid foundation in understanding and interpreting Persian manuscripts, equipping them with essential knowledge to delve deeper into the field.

Testimonials

I have recently completed the “Classical Persian through Living Books: Introduction to Persian Manuscripts” course with Ruben. We covered a wide range of manuscripts and were able to dive deep into many of the linguistic and historical aspects of each manuscript thanks to Ruben’s vast subject knowledge. I learnt so much from each session and I also thoroughly enjoyed every minute of them thanks to Ruben’s unique teaching style and humor. Despite the academic nature of the course, the atmosphere was relaxed and familiar. I am already looking forward to his next manuscript course!
Michael Ryan
University of Bamberg, Germany
Ruben was beyond exceptional as a tutor in Classical Persian, custom-designing and adapting to my interests and progress an invigorating course in its medieval historiography. He made every lesson enjoyable, and never failed to amaze with his encyclopedic knowledge of the Persian language, illuminating roots and derivations of any given word through the ages. Simply put, I could not have asked for a more inspiring and excellent teacher!
Alexander Sherborne
DPhil Student, Magdalen College, University of Oxford
My learning experience with Ruben via two of his courses (The Shahname and the Classical Persian through Living Books) has been the most fulfilling and rewarding part of my academic life so far. I had joined the Shahname course as a novice really, with ability to read the Persian alphabet, slowly connecting a bunch to form a word, and maybe read a few simple sentences. Now, after having completed two courses with Ruben, I feel happier than ever to be able to tell that my reading pace with the language has significantly improved, my understanding of the inherent meanings so much deeper than before. Courses with Ruben are so much more than finishing a predetermined coursework. They’re more about developing and sustaining habits such as reading, finding etymological nuances, making connections across languages, and most importantly, not being afraid to ask questions! (As Ruben would often say, “the harder the question, the better.”) For me, personally, this really is a beginning of a long journey of learning under Ruben’s guidance and tutelage. To everyone who has love for the language (with or without academic needs)- you’ll find it to be a deeply fulfilling and rewarding experience learning with Ruben and the Ferdowsi School.
PS. Hoping that the School comes up with in-person Summer/Winter School where we can travel, read and learn together :)
Jasleen K. Sidhu
History Educator, IBDP Strawberry Fields, Chandigarh, India.
I have completed a Summer Intensive Persian manuscript course with Ruben. He is a real expert in languages and a great instructor – his courses are an interactive way of reading medieval manuscripts. Ruben is highly organised in terms of course materials and draws on world-wide manuscript collections. Ruben has in-depth knowledge of languages, history and cultural context and skilfully introduces nuances and complexities in a straight-forward manner. I plan to continue future studies with Ruben.
Farida R. Khan
MA (Hons) Islamic art, SOAS, University of London

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CONTACT
Ruben S. Nikoghosyan (Yerevan, Armenia)

Email: nikoghosyanruben@gmail.com