Any nation on the way to destruction, will first become indifferent to culture and literature. Perhaps that is why one has to show people proof these days before they know the value of such virtues. But long ago our forefathers knew the importance of this. You should know that if Iran is still here and still enjoys a degree of respect, it is because of no other reason than the excellence of its literary and artistic contributions. Wars and victories come and go.
Every victory is only fruitful until the next defeat.
But a cultural victory can compensate for any military defeat and then some. Our own history is full of examples that support this. There are also examples in histories of other peoples. France, after Napoleon III lost the War of 1870, had lost it's place as a first class power. What enabled them to regain an important place among nations after this defeat was no longer the power of its leaders, but the art of its writers and painters.