Iranian government's purported efforts to distort the legacy of the esteemed Azerbaijani poet, Nizami Ganjavi. The controversy has ignited a fierce cultural debate, particularly in light of the aftermath of the Karabakh conflict.

According to Ednews indicate a growing trend within Iranian state circles to misrepresent Ganjavi's heritage. Social media posts have claimed that the village of Tad is being falsely promoted as the poet's birthplace, with assertions of UNESCO's endorsement through the placement of a plaque at his alleged "father's house" in Iran.

Azerbaijan, where Ganjavi holds significant cultural significance, has vehemently opposed these assertions. President Ilham Aliyev's declaration of 2021 as the year of Nizami Ganjavi intensified focus on his heritage within the country, leading to heightened tensions between cultural institutions in Iran and Azerbaijan.

Critics argue that Ganjavi's identification as Azerbaijani Turk is historically accurate, despite his Persian-language compositions—a practice common under the prevailing political and cultural circumstances. Ganjavi's own words, such as his reference to Ganja as his birthplace, affirm his Turkic roots.

Additionally, discernible traces of Turkic influence permeate Ganjavi's works, as evidenced by linguistic expressions that resonate with Azerbaijani Turkish sensibilities. For instance, phrases like "If it is Persian, we are Turks" from his poem "Khosrov and Shirin" reflect a distinctly Turkic ethos.

As debates surrounding Ganjavi's heritage persist, the Iranian government's alleged attempts to Persianize him continue to draw criticism, raising broader questions about cultural appropriation and historical accuracy.