TEHRAN The advisor to the Cultural Heritage Organization in charge of holding festivals, Kazem Tabatabaei, said that some 30 cultural festivals will be held in the country during 2001, which is called "The Year to See Iran".

Speaking to IRNA, Tabatabaei said that some four cultural festivals have been held in the country since the beginning of the year.

He said that the festivals will be held to upgrade the country's cultural status and to pave the way for economic development.

He added that such festivals play a key role in attracting Iranian and foreign tourists and that they link countries culturally.

Referring to the issue of dialogue among civilizations, Tabatabaei emphasized that the festivals also aim to familiarize Iranians with other cultures and to introduce the cultural and historical sites of Iran to people from other countries.