TEHRAN- A researcher of the history of art and culture, Nader Qoli Naderi Razani, said, "Iranians have always had good aesthetic and artistic taste and are world famous for their achievements in the fields of art and culture. Persepolis and the tombs of the kings built among the mountains of Shiraz are some of the examples which reveal the taste and artistic talent of Iranians." He believes that efforts at introducing the magnificence and grandeur of Persepolis have been insufficient and that cultural and artistic officials have neglected this issue.

Naderi stated, "Iranian artists have created a very subtle and unusual type of illumination and bookbinding in past decades. Even now, contemporary artists can not create these patterns with very advanced computers and laser machines." This researcher believes that Iranian architecture is an obvious example of utilizing art in the best possible way. The Isfahan Mosque, the Soltanieh Dome, the tomb of Safieddin Ardebili, the Kaboud Mosque in Tabriz, the Goharshad Mosque and also the Taj Mahal in India are examples of this architecture.

Naderi added, "One of the great Iranian artistic creations in the field of stonemasonry is Persepolis, in which various patterns and shapes are combined with each other. The artistic progress of Iranians stopped after the Safavid era and has even declined." According to Naderi, the nadir of this decline occurred when we began blindly imitating Westerners and stopped studying. He said that as a result of this we neglected our own past and history. He imagines that the best way revitalizing the magnificence of Iran's history is by acquiring a deep understanding of our spiritual heritage.

He noted, "Acquiring a deep and rich understanding of our cultural works and national heritage is a necessity which should be included in the education system." He mentioned that universities and the media play an important role in familiarizing people with ancient artistic works.

The First National Congress of Iranology, which will present the latest research on Iran and the Iranian identity, began on June 17 and ends on June 21. Both Iranian and foreign scholars are participating in the congress.