Glorious past paves the way for Iran-Poland cultural relations: official

TEHRAN -- Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance for Cultural Affairs Seyyed Abbas Salehi has said that the glorious past of Iran and Poland could lead the development of cultural relations between the two countries.

Speaking at a meeting that the Iranian Center for International Communities held on Sunday to discuss 540 years of diplomatic relations between Iran and Poland, Salehi said, “There are various similarities between Poland and Iran.

“Both countries have had religious tolerance and followers of various religions have lived peacefully with each other. Although sometimes aliens have tried to stimulate religious differences in the countries, the consciences of the two nations have not accepted this.   

“Both countries have bitter memories of foreign invasions and have received severe wounds from these assaults, but they have recovered. The glorious past of the two countries and their key roles as a bridge between the cultures of the East and West are important similarities that make the nations close together.”

The meeting was attended by Polish State Secretary for Culture Monika Smolen and a number of officials from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Salehi also said that during the five centuries, an important part of Iranian art and culture was transferred into Poland, and the European countries gained an access to the culture through the country.

He referred to the large number of Poles, which were forced to flee from their homeland during World War I and World War II to seek refuge in other countries including Iran, and said, “Happy memories of the times have remained in the minds of both nations.”

“Although the two countries are geographically far from each other, their people are close together historically and culturally,” he added.


MMS/YAW
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