Tajik designer reimagines ancient Persian epic through modern graphic design

Tajik designer Nigora Nasimova created a 2026 calendar project that blends contemporary graphic design with the legendary tales of Abulkasim Ferdowsi's Shahnameh.

The project draws inspiration from Persian miniature paintings produced during the 15th and 16th centuries to bring regional cultural heritage into a modern context. Nasimova developed the collection after receiving a copy of the epic poem as part of a government initiative to distribute two-volume editions to Tajik families.

She chose to focus on the relationship between the legendary warrior Rustam and his faithful horse, Rakhsh, to align with the Year of the Horse. The collection includes a wall calendar, a desk calendar, an A2 poster, postcards, and custom-branded packaging. Each month features an illustration paired with a couplet from the epic that reflects the specific story being depicted. Nasimova funded the project independently with the goal of making the literary masterpiece more accessible to younger generations.

She views the characters as reflections of modern life rather than just mythical figures. The project has already expanded into a clothing collection and several sets of postcards for the Nowruz celebration. Nasimova plans to explore further stories from the epic in future editions, including the lives of characters such as Rudaba, Zal, and Simurgh.