TEHRAN  – Sweden’s ambassador to Iran has said the Iranian community in Sweden plays a significant role in introducing Persian culture and identity, as he called for deeper cultural and artistic exchanges between Tehran and Stockholm.

Mattias Otterstedt, Sweden’s envoy in Tehran, made the remarks on the sidelines of a recent concert by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra held at Persepolis, the UNESCO-listed ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire in southern Fars province.

“The concert at Persepolis was an opportunity to experience two kinds of beauty at once – the grandeur of history and the richness of music,” CHTN quotes Otterstedt as saying on Wednesday.

The ambassador, who has been in Iran for eight months, said he was still exploring the country’s long-standing traditions. “This period is too short to gain full familiarity with Persian poetry and music,” he said.

Otterstedt noted that about 150,000 Iranian [expatriates] live in Sweden, helping Swedes become acquainted with Iranian culture, customs and heritage. “Many are educated and active in cultural, scientific and artistic fields, playing an important role in introducing Iranian culture, from celebrating Nowruz to showcasing Iranian films at local festivals,” he said.

He added that he hoped to see musicians from both countries perform in each other’s capitals and that cultural cooperation would expand “without any obstacles along the way.”

The Persepolis concert marked the centenary of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra and included “O Iran” by composer Ruhollah Khaleghi, alongside works by Armenian composers.

The event was organized with support from Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and provincial authorities. Officials said the initiative aimed to use music as a universal language to foster intercultural dialogue and artistic collaboration.

Persepolis, also known as Takht-e Jamshid, was built in the 6th century BCE under Darius the Great and served as the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire.

AM