TEHRAN Following is the text of Leader's speech delivered to artists and hundreds of cultural and art officials in the fields of cinema, theater, literature, music, painting, poetry, calligraphy, translation, etc.

Revolutionary art is another subject. The expectation of the Islamic Revolution from art and artists rests upon an aesthetic notion of art. I think it is not a great expectation. The nation fought in an 8-year sacred defense. The youths went to the front lines and gladly accepted the honorable path they had chosen. Most of them fought for their beliefs, and some sacrificed themselves for defending Iran and the borders. Mothers, fathers, wives, and children and those who were defending the home front sacrificed in another way.

You can review the memoirs of the 8-year sacred defense for an artistic view of the quality of the society. Can you find any thing more beautiful than this?

In the greatest dramatic works of the world, seeing the devotion and self-sacrifice of a person makes us praise him. When you see a movie, hear music, look at a painting, or read a biography of a revolutionary, like Joan of Arc, or a devoted soldier of our country, undoubtedly you will praise that person.

We ourselves witnessed thousands of more valuable and greater experiences in our own country, like the 8-year sacred defense and the Islamic Revolution. It happened in your own houses, isn't it beautiful? Can art be indifferent about this issue? It is the expectation of the Islamic Revolution. Those who are indifferent toward art are not going to look at the beauty.

I have read word by word the history of the period 70 or 80 years ago several times. In fact, we were one of the nations that was ensnared in the grip of the world powers.

I have studied a lot about the Indian Subcontinent and have also written a book about it. When I compare the condition of Iran, in spite the direct colonization of Britain in the Indian Subcontinent, I believe we were in a worse condition because of some human pressures from the satanic forces of the world.

The expectations of the Islamic Revolution of art and artists are not unreasonable expectations, they are only based on the aesthetics of art. Art is what can convey the beauty. The beauty is not necessarily a flower or nightingale. Throwing a person in the fire and watching that person tolerate it is sometimes more beautiful than every flower and nightingale. The artist should see and understand it, then show it with the language of art.

Of course, I never deny that we have produced very valuable works of religious art. I appreciate those who have done their best, either actors, actresses, or directors, or scenarists, or other expert artists such as painters, calligraphers, those who draw sketches and so on. It is not right to ignore such activities. As I said, my expectation has ever been such.

Let me talk a little bit about "art" and "religion". One of our friends mentioned, "I don't want to be included in 'this' and 'that' party, but they don't leave me alone!" I have always advised the artists and those involved in artistic works not to merge their work with political games. It is not a new discussion of today.

Since I was president, whenever I met with the previous ministers of culture and Islamic Guidance and related officials, I pointed out these issues. "Don't let the political factions and groups get involved in your artistic work and appropriate it. For if that happens, every thing will be destroyed."

But don't make a mistake. When we talk about preserving values and their promotion, surely there are some limitations. You cannot say that you do not belong to any faction. Is that possible? This would indicate a lack of identity.