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The skyline of Pardis Park has a new, unexpected silhouette: a 29-foot bronze statue of Cyrus the Great, installed this week and now one of the most prominent Iranian monuments outside of Iran. The figure rises from a limestone plinth modeled after the ancient king’s tomb, and the sculpture alone weighs roughly 8,000 pounds — not counting its hefty stone base.
Organizers are planning a public dedication at a festival called Iran Unveiled, a free, family-friendly event that will introduce the statue to the community and celebrate Persian culture through music, food and public programs.
Why the statue belongs in Atlanta’s Pardis Park
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The choice of location was deliberate. Pardis Park, whose name means “paradise” and echoes the walled gardens of ancient Persia, was designed to honor global champions of human rights. Placing Cyrus the Great there intentionally connects an ancient story of tolerance to a modern American city known for its civil rights legacy.
Cyrus, who established a vast Persian empire about 2,500 years ago, is widely remembered for policies that promoted religious freedom and humane treatment of conquered peoples. The so-called Cyrus Cylinder, an artifact scholars describe as an early statement on human rights, and his decision to allow displaced Jewish communities to return to their homeland are central to that reputation.
Rostam Zafari, co-founder of the nonprofit Nimruz and the project’s driving force, said the monument resonates in Atlanta — the hometown of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — because it champions coexistence, liberty and justice. The park already features figures linked to struggles for freedom from around the world, and the Cyrus statue adds an ancient voice to that collection.
How the project came together: artists, funding and engineering
The bronze statue was created by Atlanta sculptor Stan Mullins and required a team of more than 40 people over several years to complete. The path to the finished monument was not smooth: fundraising stretched long, and an earlier attempt at the statue encountered problems before the final bronze casting succeeded.
- Design and scale: 29 feet tall, bronze figure set on a limestone base shaped like Cyrus’s tomb.
- Team effort: Dozens of artisans, foundry workers and volunteers helped realize the sculpture.
- Financial obstacles: Organizers navigated repeated budget shortfalls and took personal risks to finish the work.
Zafari described the undertaking as a long-term commitment he believed would outlast those who labored to create it. He dedicated the statue to his grandparents, saying their lessons about humanity and Iranian identity inspired the project. The statue is framed as a gift to Atlanta, to his grandparents’ hometown in Iran, and to future generations who visit the park.
An American thread in an ancient story
The organizers also pointed to historical links between Cyrus’s legacy and American thought. Early American leaders engaged with classical texts about Cyrus, and those connections are invoked as a reminder of shared ideals such as liberty and pluralism.
Iran Unveiled: the festival and the message behind the monument
The statue’s unveiling will take place during Iran Unveiled, a community festival intended to highlight the richness and diversity of Iranian culture beyond geopolitical headlines. The event is organized by Nimruz, a group founded by Zafari and his cousin Sepanta Mohseni to unite Iranians across faiths and backgrounds and to share their traditions with neighbors.
- Free, family-friendly programming celebrating Persian music, food and arts.
- Public dedication ceremony for the Cyrus the Great statue.
- Opportunities to learn about Iranian history, language and daily life.
Beyond the ceremonial moment, one of the statue’s goals is to shift perceptions. Zafari wants visitors to see Iranians as people who enjoy music, community and freedom — similar to many Americans — and to recognize the plural identities that exist within Iran’s diaspora.
What the monument aims to communicate to visitors
Placed in a park that already honors freedom fighters and cultural icons, the Cyrus statue is meant to spark conversations about human rights, tolerance and historical memory. It asks passersby to consider a narrative that spans millennia: how rulership, law and conscience intersect when leaders choose policies of inclusion rather than oppression.
As the statue takes its place in Atlanta’s public landscape, organizers hope it will become a meeting point for dialogue, education and cultural exchange — a living reminder that ancient principles of dignity and coexistence still matter in cities today.
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Michael Thompson is an experienced journalist covering U.S. and global news. With ten years on the front lines, he breaks down political and economic stories that matter. His precise writing and keen attention to detail help you grasp the real‑world impact of every event.
Man, that statues got some stories, huh? 2,500 years of tolerance vibes, now chillin in Atlanta. Bet its seen some things. Hope it brings good vibes to Pardis Park!
Yo, for real! That statues probably witnessed more than a nosy neighbor. 2,500 years of history packed in one spot, now kickin it in Atlanta. Hope it brings some good vibes to Pardis Park, man. Who knows, maybe itll spill some tea about ancient times!
Man, that statue’s like a time-traveling ambassador, right? 2,500 years old and still spreading the good vibes! Atlanta’s Pardis Park’s gonna get a boost of ancient coolness. Can’t wait to see it!
Whoa, Atlanta snagging a 2,500-year-old statue for Pardis Park? Thats some next-level cultural flex! Can you imagine the stories that old boy could tell? Bet hes seen things, man.
Man, that statues got history! 2,500 years old, talk about vintage. Atlantas snagging a gem with that move. Wonder how the locals feel about a slice of history landing in their backyard.
Man, that statues been around longer than my grandmas grandma! Atlantas lucky to have that piece of history. Hope it brings some good vibes to Pardis Park. Who knew old stones could teach us a thing or two, huh?
Yo, that old statues practically a relic, man! Its like time travel in stone form. Totally agree, Atlantas got some cool history there. Maybe those vibes will bring some luck to Pardis Park, who knows, right? Funny how rocks from way back when can still drop some wisdom on us.
Man, that statues got some stories to tell! 2,500 years of history, now chilling in Atlanta. Hope the locals give it a warm welcome. Can you imagine the tales it could spin?
I remember visiting Pardis Park in Atlanta, and let me tell you, that ancient statue of tolerance fits like a glove there. Its like history giving us a nod, saying, Hey, yall, were still learning from the past.
Man, that statues got some serious history! Can you imagine if it could talk, the stories itd spill? Atlantas gonna have a cool new attraction, thats for sure. Bet folks are already lining up for a selfie with it!
I remember seein a statue like that when I visited Athens. Glad it found a new home in Atlanta. Its like a piece of history bringin folks together. Hope it spreads some good vibes round Pardis Park!
Man, that statue in Atlanta? Its like a time traveler, 2,500 years old but still preachin tolerance. Imagine the stories it could tell, from ancient Persia to modern-day Georgia. Crazy how art connects us through centuries.
Man, that statues got more history than my grandmas attic! Talk about a time traveler landing in Atlanta. Wonder what stories its got, standing tall in Pardis Park now. Bet its seen some things!
Man, that statues like a time traveler, landing in Atlanta after 2,500 years. Its like ancient wisdom meeting modern city vibes. Hope it brings some chill vibes to the park!
Man, that statues got stories older than my grandmas grandma! Atlantas got herself a wise ol guest now. Hope they treat er right, cause that kind of history aint somethin you wanna mess with, yknow?
Dang, aint that the truth! Those statues are like ancient storytellers whisperin tales from way back when. Atlantas better show some respect, or else shell be dealin with more than just a side-eye from history. Its like messin with a grumpy old wizard – you just dont wanna go there, ya know?
Yo, can we talk about how this ancient statue found its way to Atlanta? Like, imagine the stories it could tell if it could talk! Bet its seen some wild stuff over the past 2,500 years. Cool vibes, Atlanta!
A conspiracy nut: So, like, this ancient statue… what secrets does it hold, huh? Tolerance? Yeah, right. Probably a hidden map to Atlantis or a recipe for eternal youth. Keep your eyes peeled, folks!
Dude, chill with the conspiracy theories. That statues probably just a cool piece of history, not a treasure map or a fountain of youth. Unless you wanna find the secret to eternal wrinkles instead of eternal youth! *wink*
Man, that statues got more history than my grandmas attic! 2,500 years old and still kickin it in Atlanta? Props to the crew who made that happen. Bet that statues seen some things.
Dang, that statues practically a time traveler! Seeing all the hustle n bustle in Atlanta for centuries, mustve some tales to tell. Cheers to the legends behind the scenes keepin it strong! Bet that statues gossips could fill a library.
Man, that statue is like a time traveler, right? 2,500 years old and still spreading a message of tolerance. Atlantas gonna get a dose of ancient wisdom, hope they listen up!
Man, that statues got a vibe, yo. Reminds me of this ancient wisdom I read once, like, Tolerance is the key to harmony. Atlantas gonna get a dose of that 2,500-year-old chill now!
Man, that statues got history! 2,500 years old and still standing tall in Atlanta? Talk about a timeless piece. Can you imagine the stories it could tell if it could talk? Wonder what kind of wisdom itd drop on us.