TEHRAN -- Cultural relations between Iran and France have improved over the past few months, French Ambassador Bruno Foucher said on Monday.
Speaking during a seminar on the Iran travelogues some French explorers wrote during the seventeenth century at the National Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI), he added that almost all planes, which land in Tehran nowadays, bring many French academics, scholars and high-ranking officials.
He also said that the Museum of Modern Art in Paris will showcase a collection of works by Iranian artists in an exhibition, which will be held from May 16 to August 24.
NLAI Director Reza Salehi-Amiri also delivered a speech at the seminar.
“According to a study conducted by ten Iranian scholars, there are considerable cultural affinities between Iran and France,” he said.
“Both nations are seeking a cultural authority. Both nations have genuine languages. They both enjoy a variety of cultures. Both nations have rich ancient cultural heritages. Both countries enjoy domestic solidarity, which is of vital importance to decision making in cultural fields,” he added.
“There is a lot of evidence to suggest that Iran and France have had cultural relations for over five centuries,” he stated.
“The study of the past five centuries shows that Iran and France have had friendly relations,” he added.
The seminar was organized to give the French a better understanding of Iran, Iran-France Friendship Society Director Sohrab Fotuhi said during the seminar.
The one-day colloquium was held jointly by the society, NLAI, the Bokhara literary magazine, and Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization.
MMS/YAW
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