Sadi National Day: constantly hectic mausoleum records unprecedented lockdown

TEHRAN – Photos depict mausoleum of Sheikh Muslih od-Din Sadi Shirazi, known by his pen name Sadi, being deserted amid COVID-19 pandemic on April 20, which marks the national day of the 13th-century Iranian poet.

Iranian, German archaeologists to shed more light on history of Persia

TEHRAN – Teams of Iranian and German archaeologists are slated to continue research on Tepe Rivi, an ancient site in northeast Iran, which has so far revealed magnificent remains of the Bronze Age up to the Sassanid period.

Drilling wells near Naqsh-e Rostam banned over probable damage

TEHRAN – Drilling deep wells near Naqsh-e Rostam, a royal rock-hewn necropolis in Fars province, southern Iran, has been banned over probable subsidence of land and damage to the ancient site.

“All the Light We Cannot See” visible to Persian readers

TEHRAN – American writer Anthony Doerr’s acclaimed novel “All the Light We Cannot See” has recently been published in Persian.

Bagh-e Narenjestan: One of the smallest yet most visited gardens of Shiraz 

TEHRAN - Named after the bitter oranges that line the central courtyard, Bagh-e Narenjestan is one of the brilliantly manicured gardens of Shiraz. Bitter oranges are “Narenj” in Persian.

Short stories on animals from world literature published in Persian

TEHRAN – A collection of short stories focusing on animals and human-animal relationships by writers from around the world has been published in Persian in a book entitled “The Red Cat, the Black Cat”.

English writer Nevil Shute’s “No Highway” published in Persian

TEHRAN – English writer and aeronautical engineer Nevil Shute’s novel “No Highway” has been published in Persian.

Discover Istakhr, ancient royal residence near legendary Persepolis

TEHRAN – The ancient city of Istakhr, which was once a royal residence for Sassanid kings of Persia, is located in the vicinity of the UNESCO-registered Persepolis.

Canadian writer Marie-Louise Gay’s “Any Questions?” published in Persian 

TEHRAN – Canadian children’s writer Marie-Louise Gay’s book “Any Questions?” has been published in Persian.

Tokyo exhibit features ancient Iran-Japan cultural ties

TEHRAN – Sets of valuable historical relics from ancient Iran have been recently put on show by International Network for Japanese Art at Tokyo National Museum along with exquisite objects from the formative Asuka and Nara periods (593–794), showcasing the deep cultural ties of the two countries rooted in the historical past.

Archeological find corroborates Japan-Persia ancient ties

TEHRAN – Japan has unveiled a rare discovery of ties between the then mighty empire of the East and people from the then Persia (now called Iran).

Persian bookstores to receive “Letters from Ludwig Wittgenstein” 

TEHRAN – Austrian architect Paul Engelmann’s book “Letters from Ludwig Wittgenstein with a Memoir” has recently been translated into Persian.

Yalda is a beautiful manifestation of Iran’s cultural heritage: tourism minister

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister has said that Yalda Night is a beautiful manifestation of Iran’s intangible cultural heritage.

By Afshin Majlesi

Put your skates on; Yalda is to knock the door!

A new Yalda Night is approaching the hearts of Iranians no matter which part of the globe they live. On that graceful night the winter chill is vanquished and the warmth of love embraces the entire family.

Iran enjoys all attractions for Spanish travelers: diplomat

TEHRAN – Iran is a country that is highly important in terms of culture and it embraces all the necessary attractions for Spanish tourists who like to travel to the country, Spanish Charge d’Affaires to Tehran, Jose Luis Solano, has said.

Tehran conference to explore women’s role in Iranian-Islamic civilization

TEHRAN – A conference titled “Women’s Place in Iranian-Islamic Civilization” will be held in Tehran on February 24 and 25, 2020, aiming to discuss women’s duties throughout the Iranian history. 

Handmade carpets, tableau rugs to go on show in Tehran

TEHRAN – Domestic producers and exhibitors of handwoven Persian carpets, rugs and tableau rugs will showcase their works at an exhibit, which opens tomorrow at the Niavaran Cultural-Historical Complex in northern Tehran.

Bust of Ferdowsi now graces university in Russia

TEHRAN – A bust of Ferdowsi, one of the most celebrated Persian poets, has recently been installed at the North Ossetian State University, which is one of the largest public institutions in the south of Russia, IRNA reported.

By David Robie

10 reasons why tourists must visit Iran

I stumbled on the scene by chance. Our host family in Iran’s second city Mashhad, a modern and beautiful metropolis that would comfortably fit in New Zealand’s entire population, was taking us on a drive to the outskirts to visit the tomb of the famous poet and chronicler Abul-Qasem Ferdowsi.

Apadana Staircase leads you to mythical arts of Persia

TEHRAN – Apadana Staircase is one of the most striking sections of the UNESCO-registered Persepolis, southern Iran.

Ancient Iran: a glimpse of Persian art and architecture under Sassanids

TEHRAN – The Sassanid era (224 CE–651) is of very high importance in the history of Iran. Under Sassanids, Persian art and architecture experienced a general renaissance.

A glance at essential elements of traditional architecture in Iran

TEHRAN - Persian architecture has a long and complex history. The Elamite, Achaemenian, Hellenistic, and other pre-Islamic dynasties left striking stone testaments to their greatness, such as Chogha Zanbil and Persepolis—both designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1979. 

Berlin exhibit to turn spotlight on medieval, modern ceramics from Iran 

TEHRAN – Dozens of medieval and modern Iranian ceramics, selected from two German collections, will go on display at the Bumiller Collection, Studio X-Berg, in Berlin from September 12 to November 30.

Tehran exhibit showcasing handmade jewelry

TEHRAN – Sets of handmade jewelry, made by a group of female Iranian jewelers, are currently on show at the headquarters of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization in Tehran.

Beat the heat with tasty Iranian cold soup “Ab Doogh Khiar”

TEHRAN – The summer heatwave here in Iran and many other places across the globe can be dealt with a refreshing recipe like the Iranian cold soup “Ab Doogh Khiar”!

Iran introduces gigantic handwoven carpet

TEHRAN –President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday unveiled a gigantic handwoven carpet during the opening ceremony of an international carpet fair, running in Tabriz from August 1 to 4. 

Retrospective shows delicacy of mirrorwork in Iranian architecture

TEHRAN – Delicacy of mirrorwork in Iranian architecture is in the limelight at the UNESCO-registered Golestan Palace in downtown Tehran, where a retrospective of a veteran Iranian artisan is underway.

Tirgan, a feast in honor of rain

Tirgan (also known as Jashn-e Tirgan) is a time-honored Iranian festival usually observed as a rain festival. Tiragan, along with Noruz, Yalda Night and Mehregan are amongst feasts widely celebrated in the ancient land.

Iranian Garden, microcosm of paradise on Earth!

For millennia, Iranian gardens have combined the beauty of nature with the aesthetic qualities of art and architecture to create a symbolic representation of paradise on Earth.