TEHRAN -- The Iranian Artists Forum honored veteran animator and painter Ali-Akbar Sadeqi for his lifetime achievements with a Cypress of Art during a ceremony held on Monday evening.

The ceremony was arranged to honor the birth anniversary of Sadeqi and was attended by the animator’s old friends and colleagues, the Persian service of ISNA reported on Tuesday.

Addressing the participants, Sadeqi said, “I love my homeland, especially the Persian Gulf. I love people, especially you the good people.

“I used to do paintings when I was a child, but when I was doing my military service, I was invited to do animations. After that, I illustrated a book for the Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA), and it was there I began the first days of my career,” Sadeqi added.

Film producer and longtime friend Harun Yashayayi called Sadeqi one of the cultural honors of the country.

“One can see the character of Sadeqi within his movies. His works reveal human values, and his animation ‘Golbaran’ indicates the great delicacy and understanding of Sadeqi,” he added.

“He is the manifestation of honesty and modesty, and I hope the younger generation learns from the master,” he said.

Filmmaker Ebrahim Foruzesh expressed his happiness over seeing his old friend once again. “I am happy to see him after all these years, but I wish he had continued his filmmaking and we could learn more from this. His works were filled with words of love, peace and friendship.”

Several animations produced by Sadeqi including “Golbaran”, “Zal and Simorgh”, “Seven Cities” and “Castle” were screened at the cinematheque of the forum at the end of the ceremony.

Photo: Painter Ali-Akbar Sadeqi poses in an undated photo.

RM/YAW
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