TEHRAN -- The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance will support the formation of art and cultural associations and organs throughout the country, said the Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance in Art Affairs Kazemi. "Changes and development in art have not been sponsored by the state alone. By transferring the affairs of the artists to themselves, the ministry has attempted to carry out more activities in policy-making and supervision," said Kazemi. Referring to the necessity of the existence of solidarity among artists as essential for the formation of any kind of association and organ in the category of art and culture, he said, "Attraction of investment by the private sector in this field and the support provided by the government is the main factor in the development of art and culture." Kazemi further stated that, fortunately, the trend of issuing a license for the establishment of private institutes and cultural organs had a satisfactory result last year.

He called the legal support an appropriate ground for the attraction of investment in the field of art and culture. "The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance hopes to witness the effective and dynamic presence of intellectuals and scholars in art and culture, following acceleration of the process of issuing licenses for such organs and institutes." Referring to development in culture as a prerequisite for development in other sections of a society, Kazemi said, "One of the main programs of the ministry in the category of art is development of artistic activities in all provinces." Kazemi said that development will be more readily observable in provinces and townships which possess greater capacities and facilities.

Kazemi further stated that the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance tries to make art develop and exalted by increasing the number of festivals in different fields of art at both the national and international level. "In this line, the ministry attempts to hold national festivals in different fields of art in each of the provinces of the country," he added.

Kazemi recently paid a visit to Mahabad to take part in the ninth festival of "Zekr and Zakerin" (God's Remembrance and Praisers of God). While staying there, Kazemi received the city's artists and became familiar with their problems in the field of art.