TEHRAN — Hojatollah Ayoubi, senior advisor to Iran’s cultural heritage minister and head of international affairs at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, joined the “CHANDI 2025” in Bali, calling culture and art strategic assets for peace and dialogue among nations.

Ayoubi arrived in Bali on Sept. 1 and was welcomed by Indonesian officials before taking part in the summit, which runs from Sept. 3 to 5. Organized by Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture, the event brings together ministers, policymakers, artists, and creative industry leaders under the theme of culture as a foundation for peace, resilience, and sustainable development.

The CHANDI event—an acronym for Culture, Heritage, Arts, Narratives, Diplomacy, and Innovation—features cultural showcases, including wayang puppetry, keris exhibitions, and regional performances. Organizers say the event seeks to highlight Indonesia’s cultural “mega-diversity” and create new platforms for international cooperation. Agreements on cultural tourism were signed with the United Kingdom and Jordan, focusing on shared heritage preservation, film collaborations, and tourism exchanges.

In bilateral talks, Ayoubi met with Venezuela’s deputy culture minister, who reaffirmed support for Iran in international forums. Ayoubi said Tehran is determined to expand cultural and artistic cooperation with Venezuela to present both countries’ heritage globally.

In a meeting with Indonesia’s Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, Ayoubi said the uniqueness of Eastern civilizations lies in their culture and art, and congratulated Indonesia on its 80th independence anniversary. Zon highlighted historic ties between Iran and Southeast Asia and noted the influence of Persian literature, proposing joint projects such as literary translations, cultural festivals, and UNESCO nominations for traditions like Nowruz and Ramadan iftar.

Addressing a ministerial session, Ayoubi said UNESCO’s decades of work had not prevented wars and violence. “Science and education alone are not sufficient; culture and art must be brought to the forefront as remedies for humanity’s wounds,” he said. He cited Iranian cinema and calligraphy as examples of cultural tools for strengthening dialogue and proposed joint film productions and festivals.

Ayoubi also urged governments to ease visa barriers and promote cultural tourism to enable direct exchanges among intellectuals and cultural leaders. “Those who know each other are less likely to wage war,” he said.

Iran’s participation in the summit, alongside senior cultural officials and international partners, reflects its commitment to cultural diplomacy and efforts to showcase the country’s historical, artistic, and touristic capacities.

AM