Detail: The exhibition “The Everlasting Flame: Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination” provides a visual narrative
of the history of Zoroastrianism from its ancient Iranian roots, to its emergence as the foremost religion of
the Achaemenid and Parthian empires as well as its consolidation as the state religion under the Sasanians and
the establishment of the great regnal fires.
The reach of Zoroastrianism into Central Asia and China and its influence on the major religions of Judaism,
Christianity and Islam will also be demonstrated in the exhibition. From Iran to the west coast of India the
story continues with the maritime journey of Zoroastrians and their settlement in India, their growth as an
immigrant community under British colonial rule, and the later expansion of the modern diaspora.
The exhibition consists of a series of ten stories within the overall historical narrative that explores the
fascinating ways in which Zoroastrianism has been imagined through the art, iconography and literature of non-
Zoroastrians down the ages. Inside the exhibition artefacts, coins and silverware introduce the ancient and
imperial periods of Iranian Zoroastrian history. Illustrated texts and manuscripts written in Avestan,
Pahlavi, Persian and Gujarati languages show how the oral tradition was committed to writing during the
Sasanian and later periods. The economic growth of the Parsi diaspora in India is demonstrated through
paintings, porcelain, textiles, jewellery and furnishings from the nineteenth century and photographic
materials will illustrate the grown of the later diaspora in Hong Kong, Singapore, the United States and
Britain.
As well as the inclusion of important artefacts, the exhibition transforms areas of the gallery with
spectacular installations. On approaching the gallery visitors will be confronted with a replica of the façade
of the Yazd fire temple that will adorn the entrance of the building. A walk in fire temple, a central
feature of the exhibition located on the lower floor of the gallery will consist of a prayer room, inner
sanctum and ritual precinct where the yasna ceremony is performed. As outsiders are not allowed into fire
temples in India this will be a unique opportunity for visitors. Other signature pieces include a reproduction
engraved in glass of the British Museum’s 10 metre cast of the western staircase from the palace of Darius at
Persepolis, complete with the magnificent lion and bull motif. Finally, verses from the Gathas of Zarathustra
will be presented as a series of large calligraphic panels and combined with voice recordings of the text to
be presented as an audio-visual experience.
A two day conference titled “Looking Back: The Formation of Zoroastrian Identity Through Rediscovery of the
Past” and organised by the Centre for Iranian Studies, LMEI, SOAS will take place at the Brunei Gallery
Lecture Theatre on the 11th and 12th October 2013. Further information.
The exhibition is accompanied by a major publication published by IB Tauris including essays by Frantz Grenet,
Philip Kreyenbroek, Alan Williams and Almut Hintze.