Publication of the Book Purple Light of Time on the Occasion of Commemorating the Famous Italian Iranologist

The content of this book is a collection of articles presented at the Congress honouring Professor Scarcha at the end of 2018 at the Pontifical Institute of Oriental Studies in the Vatican.

In this book, 8 articles from university professors at the international level have been collected and with an introduction by Mohammad Taghi Amini, the cultural advisor of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Italy, in 205 pages and 500 copies, by Paolo Emilio Persiani Publications, one of the most reliable University publications in Italy, published.

It should be mentioned that Professor Scarcha's collection of books, which was kept in his personal library and was always used by students and researchers of Persian language, Islamic studies and Iranian studies, was donated to the Pontifical Institute of Oriental Studies in the Vatican after his death and continues to be used as A reliable source is available to researchers.

The professors whose articles have been published in the book "Purple Light of Time" are Professor Cristoforti, a professor at the University of Venice, Di Branco, a professor at the University of Rome, Comparti, a professor at the University of Venice, Nozzo, a professor at the University of Rome, Pello, professor at the University of Venice, Pistozzo, professor at the University of Bologna, Prof. Zakian and Mrs Leila Karmi, professor of reading text at the University of Venice.

The cultural advisor of Iran in Italy also wrote in the introduction of this book: "Professor John Roberto Scarcea was one of the greatest famous Italian Iranologists and was a fund and support for the scientific activity of university students and professors who provided many services to the academic community of Iran and Italy. ; Therefore, his memory and name will never be forgotten."

He added: "Throughout the fruitful life of this great thinker, he provided many services and efforts for the education and expansion of Persian language and literature and the promotion of Iranian culture, and he undoubtedly played an essential role in the emergence and expansion of modern Iranian librarianship. He also trained a generation of the most prominent Iranian scholars and professors of Persian language and literature in Italy." The cultural advisor of our country also stated: "Professor Scarcha in the Italian scientific community, in addition to being an expert in Persian language and literature, as an expert in the history of Islamic civilization, the religions of Iran and Central Asia, and Islamic law in order to develop the Institute of Iranian Studies and the Center for Iranian Studies in the Ca' Foscari University of Venice has left valuable measures for the education of Persian language and literature students in this university and has always played a significant role in promoting culture and human societies. We hope that in the future, more cultural exchanges will blossom in various cultural and scientific fields.”

In the end, Amini expressed appreciation for the scientific, cultural and academic services of Professor Bianca Maria (wife of Professor John Roberto Scarcea), who is considered one of the most important and greatest Shia scholars in Italy that has made valuable contributions to the scientific and academic centres of Italy to gain a deeper understanding of Shia studies.

According to the report, Professor John Roberto Scarcha, an Islamic scholar, Iranian scholar, the eminent professor of Persian language and literature, and head of the Persian Department at the University of Venice was very well-known due to the activities and valuable services he has provided to Iranian studies and Islamic studies in international universities.

He left many works and compilations, and his latest work is called "The Land of Companions of the Cave", which was published in the same year of his death (July 1, 2018).

Having mastered the Russian language, he translated numerous works of Russian literature into Italian. His wife, Professor Bianca Maria Amoretti (Scarcha), who died the year after his death, is also considered one of Europe's greatest scholars of Islam.

Both Italian personalities, during their lifetime, not only provided Italian readers with numerous compilations and translations of Iranian, Islamic, and Persian literature but also trained students, each of whom is now among the prominent professors of Islam and Iranian studies in are considered Italy.