TEHRAN -- A major exhibition of painting and calligraphy works entitled “From Ghadir till Ashura” opened on Thursday at Tehran’s Anthropology Encyclopedia Center.

Addressing participants at the opening ceremony, the director of the center, Mohammad-Sadeq Mahfuzi, said that works by masters of painting and calligraphy from the past and the present are on display in the exhibit.

“The art and cultural heritage of each nation depicts the traditions and old beliefs of that nation in years past, and what we have now as art and cultural heritage is a tree which is rooted in the thoughts and beliefs of previous generations,” he added. About 70,000 artworks are being kept at the center, he said, adding, “The collection of inscriptions dating back to centuries ago is the best source for researchers, and it clearly shows the production process of Iranian hand-made paper and their texture and variety of colors.”

The exhibition runs until February 9 (the day of Ashura) at the Anthropology Encyclopedia Center, which is located on Kian St., near Kaj Square, in the Saadatabad neighborhood.