TEHRAN On the occasion of the Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations, the Cultural Week of the Islamic Republic opened in the Spanish city of Salamanca.

The week has been organized by Iran's Cultural Center in Spain in cooperation with Salamanca University.

Some six Iranian films with Spanish subtitles will be screened, and a large number of Iranian handicrafts, contemporary works of art, carpets, miniatures as well as books and photos about Iran's tourist attractions will be displayed during the week.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the week, Iran's Cultural Attache in Spain, Taha Abd-e-Khoda'i, said that designating the year 2001 as the Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations, as suggested by the Iranian President seyed Mohammad Khatami and approved by the United Nations, was a positive step toward promoting understanding and peaceful coexistence among nations.

He said that Spain has always been a place for peaceful coexistence among different cultures in the course of history, and he described holding Iran's Cultural Week in that country as a significant measure.

Abd-e-Khoda'i emphasized that Iran strongly supports all researchers who conduct research on the idea of dialogue among civilizations.

Moreover, Antonio Fernandez Delgado, head of the International Relations Department of Salamanca University, stressed the importance of the Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations, saying that the activities conducted during this year will prepare the ground for further understanding among different cultures.

The city of Salamanca, located north of Madrid, is one of the old Spanish cities dating back to the 8th century A.D.