TEHRAN -- A selection of Iranian comedians from the decades of the 1980’s and 90’s were honored Wednesday evening at Tehran’s Arasbaran Cultural Center.

The Iranian institute “Nasl-e Aftab” organized the event to honor veteran cinema and TV comedy actors, filmmakers and producers to let them know that their efforts in entertaining people are still appreciated.
Morteza Ahmadi was first invited on stage to receive his award. Ahmadi has appeared in over 30 films and has also voiced many animated characters over his 65-year career. He is famous for his voice of the sly fox that tricks Pinocchio.
“I have been working for 70 years and I have gained this award for all those years, but the best award for me is the smile on your face. To see the smile on your face is enough of an award for me,” he said on stage.
Veteran performer of siah-bazi, Sadi Afshar was called on stage next to receive his award from actor Mohammadreza Forutan. Siah-bazi is a type of folk play featuring a blackfaced harlequin who stirs the audience to laughter with amusing improvisations.
Actor Alireza Khamseh expressed his pleasure in receiving his award saying, “it is an honor to be acknowledged as a comedian. Of course I don’t think I have made a significant contribution to comedy and feel like I am still a beginner in the field.”
Filmmaker Bijan Birang and actress Gohar Kheirandish were next. “I can’t believe such ceremony has been arranged. We need to express our gratitude to the organizer of the ceremony, managing director of the institute Amir-Reza Khadem,” said Kheirandish in getting her award.
Actor Nosratollah Vahdat, a veteran of cinema and theater who had mostly played in productions from earlier times was honored.
Actors Reza Babak and Mahaya Petrosian, and director Dariush Kardan were next to appear on stage and gave short speeches upon receiving their awards.
Filmmaker and producer Marzieh Borumand who was absent from the ceremony was next and her sister Ehteram accepted the award on her behalf.
Stage director and actor Farhad Aiish was also honored in his absence and the award was handed to his actress wife Maedeh Tahmasbi.
Akbar Abdi was also among the honorees but was absent due to his illness of diabetes.
Sirus Gorjestani was not able to take part and the award was handed to his son. Filmmaker Kamal Tabrizi was not present since he was busy filming in Armenia, and directors and actors Hamid Jebelli and Iraj Tahmasb were not able to take part either.
Secretary of the event, Laleh Eskandari made a brief address and said, “We hope these sorts of programs continue in the coming years. Those who worked in comedy during those years when Iran was involved in the war (Iran-Iraq) made great efforts. We hope comedy returns to our TV and cinema again.”
The ceremony was brought to an end with short music videos in honor of deceased Iranian cineastes.
Photo: Honorees and a number of Nasl-e Aftab institute officials pose at Tehran’s Arasbaran Cultural Center on December 1, 2010. (ISNA/Alireza Sotakbar)