Miniature collection to highlight life of Imam Reza (AS)

March 4, 2015, 5:12 pm

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TEHRAN – Imam Reza (AS) International Foundation has commissioned young Iranian miniaturist Mehdi Farrokhi to paint tableaus on the life of the eighth Imam of Shia Muslims, Imam Reza (AS). 

 

“Ten significant topics related to life of Imam such as his journey to Khorasan, his imamate, his sister  Hazrat Masumeh (SA), and his Holy Shrine (in Mashhad) are the highlights of the paintings,” managing director of the foundation said in a press release published on Wednesday.

 

“A beautiful sentence describing each painting will also be added beneath each work in Persian, Arabic and English,” Javad Jafari added.

 

Making use of artistic forms helps to better promote the religious concept, he said.

 

He also added that the artworks are due to be unveiled during a ceremony in summer, beginning with the birth anniversary of Hazrat Masumeh (SA), which falls in August.

 

The artworks are due to go on display in different exhibits in Iran and other countries.

 

A book of the miniature works is also due to be published.

 

 

RM/YAW

END

 

 

 

---

Ali Rahbari returns to restore Tehran Symphony Orchestra

March 4, 2015, 5:15 pm

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TEHRAN -- Vienna-based Iranian maestro Ali Rahbari has returned to his homeland to restore the Tehran Symphony Orchestra (TSO), a mission that he once left unfinished in 2005.

 

The director of the Music Office of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance attended a press conference on Wednesday to announced Rahbari’s appointment as the conductor and the artistic director of the orchestra.

 

Rahbari, who also attended the press conference, said, “The Culture Ministry is not an entertainment agency.”

 

“Due to the tax people pay, the ministry has a duty to raise people’s culture. Thus I wish the musicians working with the orchestra can play at an international level and we can perform at the most prestigious European halls in the near future,” he added.

 

In 2004, just a year before the victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the presidential election, Rahbari was invited from Austria to reorganize the TSO, but he quit the following year over the low salaries paid to the orchestra’s musicians.

 

Afterward, Nader Mashayekhi, another Austrian-based Iranian musician and conductor, took the helm at the orchestra. In July 2007, Mashayekhi was dismissed following his complaints over low salaries and delays in payment of wages to the musicians.

 

The TSO spent several months without any permanent conductor until Sahbaii was appointed to conduct the TSO in January 2008.

 

In early May 2010, Sahbaii also stopped conducting the symphony for “administrative problems and other difficulties.”

 

Afterwards, guest conductors from Iran and several European countries led the orchestra in occasional concerts.

 

Months after Hassan Rouhani won the 2013 presidential election, Sahbaii was selected once again to restore the orchestra, which had almost been dismantled over the past five years.

 

However, it was not enough to break the spell and Rahbari came.

 

“We should be proud of a president [Rouhani], who talked about the restoration of orchestras in the country during his official speech after winning the presidential election, even if his wish is not fulfilled,” Rahbari said.

 

Rahbari plans to perform the Symphony No. 9, Ludwig van Beethoven’s final complete symphony, during his new collaboration with the Tehran Symphony Orchestra.

 

“This concert means the fulfillment of the wish of the president, who has many opponents,” Rahbari stated. 

 

“But in my opinion, the concert could be an appropriate way for the activities of our musicians to be widely disseminated in the world,” he added.

 

He asked Iranian musicians to participate in the tests that he plans to hold to select members for the Tehran Symphony Orchestra. 

 

MMS/YAW

END

 

Art news in brief

March 4, 2015, 5:10 pm

≫ Next: Over 30 Iranian companies participate in Tehran animation market

≪ Previous: Ali Rahbari returns to restore Tehran Symphony Orchestra

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“Today” to compete in European festivals 

 

TEHRAN – Iranian director Reza Mirkarimi’s acclaimed drama “Today” will compete in two European film festivals in late March.

 

The film will first be screened at the 4th edition of the Curacao International Film Festival Rotterdam, which is scheduled to be held in the Netherlands from March 25 to 29.

 

It then will compete in the 10th Panorama of Maghreb and Middle-Eastern Cinema, which will be held in Paris from March 31 to April 19. 

 

Iranian films line up for Irish festival

 

TEHRAN – A number of Iranian movies will be screened at the Silk Road Film Festival (SRFF), which will be held in Dublin from March 18th to 22.

 

The lineup includes Nima Javidi’s “Melbourne”, Abbas Kiarostami’s “Shirin”, Kambozia Partovi’s “Cafe Transit”, Rakhshan Banietemad’s “Tales” and Babak Nazari’s animated film “Sugarland”.

 

The annual SRFF welcomes films from countries, which were part of the historical network of the Silk Road that connected China, Persia and the Middle East to the Mediterranean and European world.

 

MA/YAW

END

 

Over 30 Iranian companies participate in Tehran animation market

March 4, 2015, 5:09 pm

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TEHRAN – Over 30 Iranian animation companies will offer their latest productions at the 4th National Animation Market of Iran.

 

The market is scheduled to be held in Tehran from March 9 to 12 on the sidelines of the 9th Tehran International Animation Festival, the secretary of the festival, Mohammadreza Karimi-Saremi, said in a press release on Wednesday.

 

Foreign companies and animators can also participate in the market, he added.

 

The festival will be held at the Artistic Creation Center of the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA).

 

Seven theaters across the city will also screen a selection of foreign and Iranian animated movies during the festival.

 

MA/YAW

END

 

Miniature collection to highlight life of Imam Reza (AS)

March 4, 2015, 5:12 pm

≫ Next: Ali Rahbari returns to restore Tehran Symphony Orchestra

≪ Previous: Over 30 Iranian companies participate in Tehran animation market

$

0

0

TEHRAN – Imam Reza (AS) International Foundation has commissioned young Iranian miniaturist Mehdi Farrokhi to paint tableaus on the life of the eighth Imam of Shia Muslims, Imam Reza (AS). 

 

“Ten significant topics related to life of Imam such as his journey to Khorasan, his imamate, his sister  Hazrat Masumeh (SA), and his Holy Shrine (in Mashhad) are the highlights of the paintings,” managing director of the foundation said in a press release published on Wednesday.

 

“A beautiful sentence describing each painting will also be added beneath each work in Persian, Arabic and English,” Javad Jafari added.

 

Making use of artistic forms helps to better promote the religious concept, he said.

 

He also added that the artworks are due to be unveiled during a ceremony in summer, beginning with the birth anniversary of Hazrat Masumeh (SA), which falls in August.

 

The artworks are due to go on display in different exhibits in Iran and other countries.

 

A book of the miniature works is also due to be published.

 

 

RM/YAW

END

 

 

 

Ali Rahbari returns to restore Tehran Symphony Orchestra

March 4, 2015, 5:15 pm

≫ Next: Art news in brief

≪ Previous: Miniature collection to highlight life of Imam Reza (AS)

$

0

0

TEHRAN -- Vienna-based Iranian maestro Ali Rahbari has returned to his homeland to restore the Tehran Symphony Orchestra (TSO), a mission that he once left unfinished in 2005.

 

The director of the Music Office of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance attended a press conference on Wednesday to announced Rahbari’s appointment as the conductor and the artistic director of the orchestra.

 

Rahbari, who also attended the press conference, said, “The Culture Ministry is not an entertainment agency.”

 

“Due to the tax people pay, the ministry has a duty to raise people’s culture. Thus I wish the musicians working with the orchestra can play at an international level and we can perform at the most prestigious European halls in the near future,” he added.

 

In 2004, just a year before the victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the presidential election, Rahbari was invited from Austria to reorganize the TSO, but he quit the following year over the low salaries paid to the orchestra’s musicians.

 

Afterward, Nader Mashayekhi, another Austrian-based Iranian musician and conductor, took the helm at the orchestra. In July 2007, Mashayekhi was dismissed following his complaints over low salaries and delays in payment of wages to the musicians.

 

The TSO spent several months without any permanent conductor until Sahbaii was appointed to conduct the TSO in January 2008.

 

In early May 2010, Sahbaii also stopped conducting the symphony for “administrative problems and other difficulties.”

 

Afterwards, guest conductors from Iran and several European countries led the orchestra in occasional concerts.

 

Months after Hassan Rouhani won the 2013 presidential election, Sahbaii was selected once again to restore the orchestra, which had almost been dismantled over the past five years.

 

However, it was not enough to break the spell and Rahbari came.

 

“We should be proud of a president [Rouhani], who talked about the restoration of orchestras in the country during his official speech after winning the presidential election, even if his wish is not fulfilled,” Rahbari said.

 

Rahbari plans to perform the Symphony No. 9, Ludwig van Beethoven’s final complete symphony, during his new collaboration with the Tehran Symphony Orchestra.

 

“This concert means the fulfillment of the wish of the president, who has many opponents,” Rahbari stated. 

 

“But in my opinion, the concert could be an appropriate way for the activities of our musicians to be widely disseminated in the world,” he added.

 

He asked Iranian musicians to participate in the tests that he plans to hold to select members for the Tehran Symphony Orchestra. 

 

MMS/YAW

END

 

Art news in brief

March 6, 2015, 1:02 pm

≫ Next: What’s in art galleries

≪ Previous: Ali Rahbari returns to restore Tehran Symphony Orchestra

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Common heritage of Iraq, Iran discussed at intl. conference

TEHRAN – The common heritage of Iraq and Iran were discussed during a conference, which was held in Qom on Thursday and Friday. 

 

Experts, mainly coming from the neighboring countries, talked about a wide range of topics such as archeology, religious sites, architecture, museums, literature, and Eastern mysticism and philosophy.

 

The conference was jointly organized by Iran’s Islamic Treasures Association and the Institute for History of Knowledge and Culture. 

 

 

Milad Tower to host Khayyam intl. photo exhibit

TEHRAN – The 2nd Khayyam International Exhibition of Photography will be held at Tehran’s Milad Tower from March 9 to 16.

 

A collection selected from 2800 submissions from 75 countries will be showcased at the exhibition.

 

Iran’s Focus Photo Club organizes the exhibition annually with the help of the Photographic Society of America (PSA) and the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP).

 

MA/YAW

END

What’s in art galleries

March 6, 2015, 1:06 pm

≫ Next: Image of the Year Festival honors veteran artists

≪ Previous: Art news in brief

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Watercolor

* Mohammad-Ali Yazdchi is showcasing his latest watercolor paintings in an exhibition at Shokuh Gallery.

 

The exhibition runs until March 11 at the gallery, which can be found at 19 Amir Nuri Alley, North Salimi St. near Andarzgu Blvd.

 

Photo

* A solo exhibition of photographs by Mohammadreza Mirzaii is currently underway at O Gallery.

 

The exhibition runs until March 16 at the gallery located at 46 Khosro Alley, off Villa Avenue.

 

Handicraft

* A vast array of Persian handicrafts by 24 artisans, including Arezu Khakpur, Masud Khosravi, Akbar Bozorgian and Shahin Javaherian, is on display in an exhibition at Mess Negar Gallery.

 

The exhibition runs until March 12 at the gallery, which can be found at No. 5 in the Park Prince Building on Molla Sadra Highway.

 

Painting

* Arya Gallery is currently playing host to an exhibition of paintings by Mohammad-Ebrahim Jafari, Reza Bangiz, Behzad Shishegaran and several other artists.

 

The showcase runs until March 13 at the gallery, which can be found at 11 Zarrin Alley, off Vali-e Asr Ave.

 

* Organic paintings by Mostafa Damirchi are on display in an exhibit at Shirin Gallery.

 

The exhibition runs until March 16 at the gallery located at No. 5, 13th alley, Sanaii St. off Karim Khan Zand Ave.

 

MA/YAW

END

---

Image of the Year Festival honors veteran artists

March 6, 2015, 9:17 pm

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TEHRAN – A number of veteran artists were honored during a ceremony on the sidelines of the 12th edition of the Image of the Year and Tassvir Film Festival held at the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) on Wednesday.

 

Painter Aidin Aghdashlu, cartoonist Kambiz Derambakhsh, graphic designer Ebrahim Haqiqi, writer Mohsen Rastani, and photographers Mohammad Farnud and Ahmad Moinijam were the selected honorees, the Persian service of MNA reported on Friday.

 

Cartoonist Kambiz Derambakhsh was honored for the publication of his book “Black Miniatures”.

 

Cartoonist Hadi Heidari called Derambakhsh’s cartoons heartwarming, active, and full of innovations and said, “Derambakhsh has immortalized poetry, sense, line and movement in his works, and has portrayed an image of perfection and profession.

 

“Being on top of his art and profession, Derambakhsh has beautifully placed modesty and intimacy together, which can serve as a good lesson for the present and future generations,” he added.

 

Referring to the exhibit of 40 years of movie poster designing by Ebrahim Haqiqi held during the festival, the stage and costume designer Amir Esbati called Haqiqi a polyhedral artist.

 

He said that Haqiqi’s works are divided into posters of feature films, short films and posters of festivals.

 

He called Haqiqi an influential figure in poster designing.

 

The secretary of the festival also talked about Aghdashlu and hoped that he would return home soon, referring to his recent trip to Canada to visit his family.

 

Moreover, the two photographers were honored for their series of images of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

 

The ceremony was attended by Director of the Center for Visual Arts of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance Majid Mollanoruzi and IAF Director Majid Sarsangi.

 

The annual exhibition of the festival will be running until March 10, and the film festival will end on March 11. 

 

RM/YAW

END

Painter Nasser Ovissi retrospective opens at Sadabad complex

March 6, 2015, 9:15 pm

≫ Next: National library honors scholar Sirus Parham

≪ Previous: Image of the Year Festival honors veteran artists

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TEHRAN -- A retrospective of Iranian expressionist painter Nasser Ovissi opened a Tehran’s Sadabad Cultural Historical Complex on Friday.

 

A large collection by the U.S.-based artist will be on show at the exhibition until April 4.

 

Ovissi, 81, has so far displayed his woks in over 50 exhibitions in his homeland and other countries.

 

Ovissi and celebrated Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dali held a joint exhibition in Madrid in 1977.

 

Museums in Iran and Italy, France, England, Greece, Switzerland, Germany, Turkey, India, Sweden, Canada, Spain and the United States hold some of his works.

 

The Sadabad Cultural and Historical Complex is located Zafaranieh Ave. off Kamal Taheri St.

 

 

MMS/YAW

END

 

National library honors scholar Sirus Parham

March 6, 2015, 1:10 pm

≫ Next: Britain gets into “Spirit of Noruz”

≪ Previous: Painter Nasser Ovissi retrospective opens at Sadabad complex

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TEHRAN -- The National Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI) has honored Iranian scholar and translator Sirus Parham, who is mostly known for writing and editing works on Persian art and literature.

 

A large number of scholars and literati came together in a meeting at National Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI) in Tehran on Thursday evening in recognition of Parham’s efforts in cofounding the National Archives of Iran, which later became the NLAI.

 

“If we want to enjoy a cultural freshness and vitality, we should care about our origins,” NLAI Director Seyyed Reza Amiri-Salehi said during meeting.

 

He called Parham one of the ‘origins’ of the NLAI and said, “Let us learn not to forget our origins.”

 

“The cultural Iran is the precious capital of Iran and the creators of this culture are people like master Parham,” he added.

 

“Master Parham laid the corner stone for the NLAI wherein is the national and historical memory of Iran, and the Iranian people should safeguard this memory,” he stated.

 

Amiri-Salehi said that the NLAI plans to name one of its major halls after Parham.

 

In his short speech, Parham thanked the organizers of the meeting and said, “I feel honor for the memorabilia I have left for my country and people.”

 

Several scholars also delivered short speeches at the meeting.

 

Translator Hormoz Homayunpur praised Parham for his contribution to editing and his key role in founding the NLAI. 

 

Writer Iraj Parsinejad described Parham as “a pioneer of literary criticism in Iran, who gave meaning to analytical criticism in contemporary Persian literature by writing the book ‘Realism against Realism in Literature’.”

 

Parham is the editor of Persian versions of U.S. scholar Arthur Upham Pope’s “Masterpieces of Persian Art”, “Introducing Persian Architecture” and “An Introduction to Persian Art Since the Seventh Century A.D.”, all of which were translated by Najaf Daryabandari. 

 

He has also translated two anthologies by the American poet Walt Whitman. 

 

Parham has also written several books on traditional Iranian arts, including “The Nomad and Rural Hand-Woven Works in Fars Region”.

MMS/YAW

END

 

Britain gets into “Spirit of Noruz”

March 6, 2015, 1:27 pm

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≪ Previous: National library honors scholar Sirus Parham

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TEHRAN – “The Spirit of Noruz”, an exhibition focusing on the contemporary experience of Noruz, the Iranian New Year celebration beginning on March 21, opened in the British Council on Thursday.

 

The exhibition focuses on digital art and photography by artists from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, the British Council announced on its website.

 

The event highlights how diverse and widespread this contemporary annual cultural festival is, and demonstrates its place of importance on the international calendar.

 

The event is part of the British Council’s ‘UK-Iran Season of Culture’ and includes an exploration of the cultural links between the UK and Iran.

 

Moreover, school children across the UK are able to get a fresh insight into Persian culture through a new education pack launched by the British Council at the opening ceremony.

 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Danny Whitehead, the British Council’s Iran Country Director, said, “This education pack brings the richness of the Persian world and its culture to life in the classroom. We’re delighted to support schools and teachers to build understanding of different cultures among UK children.”

 

The resources include assembly and lesson plans, and activity sheets to allow British children to gain an insight into traditional and modern day celebrations. 

 

Links to Iranian music along with letters from children in Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, the UK and Uzbekistan explaining how they celebrate Noruz in their home country are also included.

 

“The Spirit of Noruz” will be running until May 15.

 

RM/YAW

END

 

 

What’s in art galleries

March 6, 2015, 1:06 pm

≫ Next: Image of the Year Festival honors veteran artists

≪ Previous: Britain gets into “Spirit of Noruz”

$

0

0

Watercolor

* Mohammad-Ali Yazdchi is showcasing his latest watercolor paintings in an exhibition at Shokuh Gallery.

 

The exhibition runs until March 11 at the gallery, which can be found at 19 Amir Nuri Alley, North Salimi St. near Andarzgu Blvd.

 

Photo

* A solo exhibition of photographs by Mohammadreza Mirzaii is currently underway at O Gallery.

 

The exhibition runs until March 16 at the gallery located at 46 Khosro Alley, off Villa Avenue.

 

Handicraft

* A vast array of Persian handicrafts by 24 artisans, including Arezu Khakpur, Masud Khosravi, Akbar Bozorgian and Shahin Javaherian, is on display in an exhibition at Mess Negar Gallery.

 

The exhibition runs until March 12 at the gallery, which can be found at No. 5 in the Park Prince Building on Molla Sadra Highway.

 

Painting

* Arya Gallery is currently playing host to an exhibition of paintings by Mohammad-Ebrahim Jafari, Reza Bangiz, Behzad Shishegaran and several other artists.

 

The showcase runs until March 13 at the gallery, which can be found at 11 Zarrin Alley, off Vali-e Asr Ave.

 

* Organic paintings by Mostafa Damirchi are on display in an exhibit at Shirin Gallery.

 

The exhibition runs until March 16 at the gallery located at No. 5, 13th alley, Sanaii St. off Karim Khan Zand Ave.

 

MA/YAW

END

Image of the Year Festival honors veteran artists

March 6, 2015, 9:17 pm

≫ Next: Painter Nasser Ovissi retrospective opens at Sadabad complex

≪ Previous: What’s in art galleries

$

0

0

TEHRAN – A number of veteran artists were honored during a ceremony on the sidelines of the 12th edition of the Image of the Year and Tassvir Film Festival held at the Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) on Wednesday.

 

Painter Aidin Aghdashlu, cartoonist Kambiz Derambakhsh, graphic designer Ebrahim Haqiqi, writer Mohsen Rastani, and photographers Mohammad Farnud and Ahmad Moinijam were the selected honorees, the Persian service of MNA reported on Friday.

 

Cartoonist Kambiz Derambakhsh was honored for the publication of his book “Black Miniatures”.

 

Cartoonist Hadi Heidari called Derambakhsh’s cartoons heartwarming, active, and full of innovations and said, “Derambakhsh has immortalized poetry, sense, line and movement in his works, and has portrayed an image of perfection and profession.

 

“Being on top of his art and profession, Derambakhsh has beautifully placed modesty and intimacy together, which can serve as a good lesson for the present and future generations,” he added.

 

Referring to the exhibit of 40 years of movie poster designing by Ebrahim Haqiqi held during the festival, the stage and costume designer Amir Esbati called Haqiqi a polyhedral artist.

 

He said that Haqiqi’s works are divided into posters of feature films, short films and posters of festivals.

 

He called Haqiqi an influential figure in poster designing.

 

The secretary of the festival also talked about Aghdashlu and hoped that he would return home soon, referring to his recent trip to Canada to visit his family.

 

Moreover, the two photographers were honored for their series of images of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

 

The ceremony was attended by Director of the Center for Visual Arts of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance Majid Mollanoruzi and IAF Director Majid Sarsangi.

 

The annual exhibition of the festival will be running until March 10, and the film festival will end on March 11. 

 

RM/YAW

END

Painter Nasser Ovissi retrospective opens at Sadabad complex

March 6, 2015, 9:15 pm

≫ Next: National library honors scholar Sirus Parham

≪ Previous: Image of the Year Festival honors veteran artists

$

0

0

TEHRAN -- A retrospective of Iranian expressionist painter Nasser Ovissi opened a Tehran’s Sadabad Cultural Historical Complex on Friday.

 

A large collection by the U.S.-based artist will be on show at the exhibition until April 4.

 

Ovissi, 81, has so far displayed his woks in over 50 exhibitions in his homeland and other countries.

 

Ovissi and celebrated Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dali held a joint exhibition in Madrid in 1977.

 

Museums in Iran and Italy, France, England, Greece, Switzerland, Germany, Turkey, India, Sweden, Canada, Spain and the United States hold some of his works.

 

The Sadabad Cultural and Historical Complex is located Zafaranieh Ave. off Kamal Taheri St.

 

 

MMS/YAW

END

 

---

National library honors scholar Sirus Parham

March 6, 2015, 1:10 pm

≫ Next: Britain gets into “Spirit of Noruz”

≪ Previous: Painter Nasser Ovissi retrospective opens at Sadabad complex

$

0

0

TEHRAN -- The National Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI) has honored Iranian scholar and translator Sirus Parham, who is mostly known for writing and editing works on Persian art and literature.

 

A large number of scholars and literati came together in a meeting at National Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI) in Tehran on Thursday evening in recognition of Parham’s efforts in cofounding the National Archives of Iran, which later became the NLAI.

 

“If we want to enjoy a cultural freshness and vitality, we should care about our origins,” NLAI Director Seyyed Reza Amiri-Salehi said during meeting.

 

He called Parham one of the ‘origins’ of the NLAI and said, “Let us learn not to forget our origins.”

 

“The cultural Iran is the precious capital of Iran and the creators of this culture are people like master Parham,” he added.

 

“Master Parham laid the corner stone for the NLAI wherein is the national and historical memory of Iran, and the Iranian people should safeguard this memory,” he stated.

 

Amiri-Salehi said that the NLAI plans to name one of its major halls after Parham.

 

In his short speech, Parham thanked the organizers of the meeting and said, “I feel honor for the memorabilia I have left for my country and people.”

 

Several scholars also delivered short speeches at the meeting.

 

Translator Hormoz Homayunpur praised Parham for his contribution to editing and his key role in founding the NLAI. 

 

Writer Iraj Parsinejad described Parham as “a pioneer of literary criticism in Iran, who gave meaning to analytical criticism in contemporary Persian literature by writing the book ‘Realism against Realism in Literature’.”

 

Parham is the editor of Persian versions of U.S. scholar Arthur Upham Pope’s “Masterpieces of Persian Art”, “Introducing Persian Architecture” and “An Introduction to Persian Art Since the Seventh Century A.D.”, all of which were translated by Najaf Daryabandari. 

 

He has also translated two anthologies by the American poet Walt Whitman. 

 

Parham has also written several books on traditional Iranian arts, including “The Nomad and Rural Hand-Woven Works in Fars Region”.

MMS/YAW

END

 

Britain gets into “Spirit of Noruz”

March 6, 2015, 1:27 pm

≫ Next: Art news in brief

≪ Previous: National library honors scholar Sirus Parham

$

0

0

TEHRAN – “The Spirit of Noruz”, an exhibition focusing on the contemporary experience of Noruz, the Iranian New Year celebration beginning on March 21, opened in the British Council on Thursday.

 

The exhibition focuses on digital art and photography by artists from Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, the British Council announced on its website.

 

The event highlights how diverse and widespread this contemporary annual cultural festival is, and demonstrates its place of importance on the international calendar.

 

The event is part of the British Council’s ‘UK-Iran Season of Culture’ and includes an exploration of the cultural links between the UK and Iran.

 

Moreover, school children across the UK are able to get a fresh insight into Persian culture through a new education pack launched by the British Council at the opening ceremony.

 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Danny Whitehead, the British Council’s Iran Country Director, said, “This education pack brings the richness of the Persian world and its culture to life in the classroom. We’re delighted to support schools and teachers to build understanding of different cultures among UK children.”

 

The resources include assembly and lesson plans, and activity sheets to allow British children to gain an insight into traditional and modern day celebrations. 

 

Links to Iranian music along with letters from children in Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, the UK and Uzbekistan explaining how they celebrate Noruz in their home country are also included.

 

“The Spirit of Noruz” will be running until May 15.

 

RM/YAW

END

 

 

Art news in brief

March 7, 2015, 12:50 pm

≫ Next: Italian university to host seminar on Persian literature

≪ Previous: Britain gets into “Spirit of Noruz”

$

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0

Oman guest of honor at Tehran Intl. Book Fair 

TEHRAN – Oman was selected as the guest of honor for the 28th Tehran International Book Fair (TIBF), which will be held from May 6 to 16, TIBF Director Amir-Masud Shahramnia announced on Friday.

 

The decision to choose Oman as the guest of honor was made by the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

 

Tajikistan had also applied to be a guest of honor at the TIBF.

 

 

Warsaw hosts conference on Iranian studies

TEHRAN – A number of Orientalists and Iranology students came together during a meeting at the Faculty of Oriental Studies at the University of Warsaw on Friday to discuss Persian culture, civilization and literature.

 

Literati also recited verses of Persian poetry at the meeting, which was organized with the help of the Iranian Embassy in Poland.

 

 

“Story of a Rainy Night” wins award at Hollywood filmfest 

TEHRAN - “The Story of a Rainy Night” has won the best short film award at the Hollywood Festival of New Cinema, which was held in Hollywood, California from February 22 to 25, the Persian service of IRNA reported on Saturday.

 

Directed by Mehdi Fardgaderi, the short film shows the story of an old man and events that takes place on his birthday. 

 

MA/YAW

END

Italian university to host seminar on Persian literature

March 7, 2015, 1:04 pm

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TEHRAN – The University of Bologna in Italy will be hosting a seminar on contemporary Persian literature opening on March 12.

 

The seminar entitled “Garden and Stream, Review of Contemporary Persian Literature” has been organized by the Department of History and Cultures of the University of Bologna in collaboration with the Iranian Cultural Office in Rome.

 

Professor Giuseppe Sassatelli, director of Department of History and Cultures and Qorbanali Marjanpur, Iran’s Cultural Attaché are scheduled to speak at the seminar, the Persian service of MNA reported on Saturday.

 

Several other articles will be presented at the seminar by Iranian and Italian scholars including deputy director of the Book City Institute Ali-Asghar Mohammadkhani, Persian scholar Zia Movahhed, Professor of Modern and Contemporary Persian Language and Literature at the University of Bologna Faezeh Mardani and Anna Vanzan from the University of Milan.

 

Cultural ties between Iran and Italy have been developed over the past years, and there have been efforts to introduce Persian literature by both countries.

 

Italian universities have hosted several seminars on introducing contemporary Persian literature in past years.

 

RM/YAW

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Tehran Choir to perform at Dubai festival

March 7, 2015, 9:36 pm

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TEHRAN – Tehran Choir will perform at the ChoirFest Middle East, which will be held in Dubai from March 10 to 14.

 

The ChoirFest Middle East highlights songs from the Middle East with a lineup of performers, educational workshops and competitions to unite communities from all over the world.

 

“Tehran Choir plans to perform a wide repertoire of the baroque, as well as several pieces by Iranian composers including Ahmad Pejman and Morteza Hannaneh,” the conductor of the choir, Mehdi Qasemi, said in a press conference on Friday.

 

“The participating groups coming from Lebanon, Afghanistan and Iraq are scheduled to give their performances during the first days of the festival,” he added.

 

All participating groups will give a joint performance during a program entitled “Night of a Thousand Voices”, which has been arranged for the fourth night of the festival.

 

Established by Qasemi in 1999, Tehran Choir is one of the most notable and active choirs in Iran. 

 

The Tehran Choir has performed dozens of concerts. It also collaborated in recording sessions with famous contemporary Iranian composers such as Ahmad Pejman.

 

The Tehran Choir completed the recording of its debut album early this winter. The album, which consists of original choral compositions of 9 contemporary Iranian composers, is scheduled to be released in summer 2015.

 

 

RM/YAW

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