Tehran to host meeting of UNESCO-affiliated centers

TEHRAN - Iran has officially been selected to host the 2026 annual meeting of UNESCO Category 2 Centers active in the field of intangible cultural heritage.

By Afshin Majlesi

Cultural heritage is a voice against hostile narratives, Iran tourism minister says

TEHRAN – In a press conference held on Tuesday afternoon, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, along with his deputies, addressed the ministry’s role in shaping cultural resilience during the recent 12-day conflict with Israel.

No damage reported to Iran’s museums and historical sites, deputy minister confirms

TEHRAN - Iran’s Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage has confirmed that no damage has been reported to the country’s museums or historical assets during the recent 12-day war with Israel, which came to a ceasefire early Tuesday.

Iran seeks UNESCO labels for mirrorwork art and Falak-ol-Aflak fortress

TEHRAN – Iran has formally submitted two major cultural heritage dossiers to UNESCO for potential inscription on the World Heritage List: the ancient decorative art of mirrorwork, known as Ayeneh-kari, and the historic Falak-ol-Aflak Fortress along with its surrounding cultural landscape in Lorestan province.

Iran extends historical site visiting hours during Ramadan

TEHRAN - Iran’s Deputy Minister for Cultural Heritage, Ali Darabi, has announced adjustments to the upcoming Nowruz festivities, ensuring alignment with the holy month of Ramadan, which begins on March 2. 

Deputy tourism minister visits UNESCO-listed Tchogha Zanbil in Khuzestan

TEHRAN – On Wednesday, Ali Darabi, Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, visited the UNESCO-listed Tchogha Zanbil, a prehistorical ruined ziggurat in Khuzestan province as part of his official tour of heritage projects in the region.

Iran pursues ICESCO heritage status for ancient port

TEHRAN - The ancient port of Tis, situated in Chabahar county in southeastern Iran, is set to be registered on the Islamic Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) cultural heritage list.

Iran advances to fourth place globally in intangible cultural heritage rankings

TEHRAN- Iran has risen from seventh to fourth place globally in intangible cultural heritage, the Deputy Minister for Cultural Heritage has announced. 

Tehran to host 9th Fajr Intl. Handicrafts and Traditional Arts Festival

TEHRAN - The 9th Fajr International Handicrafts and Traditional Arts Festival, widely known as Sarv-E Simin (“Silver Cypress”), is set to take place in Tehran from February 21 to 24, 2025, celebrating Iran’s rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship.

Bersian Mosque well qualified for UNESCO status, official suggests

TEHRAN - Ali Darabi, Iran’s deputy minister for cultural heritage, has expressed optimism about the potential of the 11th-century Bersian mosque to earn a UNESCO World Heritage designation.

Iran to stage ‘Glory of Ancient Persia’ exhibit at UNESCO-listed Persepolis

TEHRAN – Deputy Tourism Minister Ali Darabi has revealed plans to stage a prestigious exhibit titled ‘“Glory of Ancient Persia’“ at the UNESCO-registered site of Persepolis.

Iran, India seek stronger tourism ties

TEHRAN – Iranian and Indian tourism officials have met to pave the way for enhanced bilateral cooperation in cultural heritage and tourism, marking a new chapter in the long-lasting relations between the two nations.

National initiative for residency revival in historical areas

TEHRAN – Iran’s Supreme Council of Urban Planning and Architecture has approved incentive strategies for easing residency in historical areas.

Indian ambassador honors Iran’s ancient legacy, proposes richer cultural bonds

TEHRAN - In a meeting focused on deepening cultural ties, Indian Ambassador to Iran, Rudra Gaurav Shresth, lauded Iran as the world’s oldest civilization and proposed several initiatives to enhance cultural cooperation between the two nations.

Intangible cultural heritage ever-living soul of nations, deputy minister says

TEHRAN – Iran’s deputy tourism minister Ali Darabi has said intangible cultural heritage is the ever-living soul of various cultures worldwide.

Proposal for joint cultural heritage committee between Tehran and Astana

TEHRAN – On Wednesday, Iran’s deputy minister of cultural heritage, during a meeting with the Kazakh ambassador to Iran, proposed the formation of a joint cultural heritage committee between the two countries.

Eight cultural heritage experts honored as eternal figures

TEHRAN – In a Tehran ceremony held on Tuesday, eight cultural heritage professionals were honored for their significant contributions to the field during a ceremony.

Push for cultural heritage education in Iran’s curriculum

TEHRAN – Ali Darabi has advocated for the inclusion of “Cultural Heritage” courses in Iran’s national curriculum, aiming to deepen students’ connection to their heritage.

All Cultural Heritage Week programs called off over President martyrdom

TEHRAN – Honoring the martyrdom of Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, all the events planned to commemorate the national Cultural Heritage Week have been canceled.

Iran’s deputy minister of cultural heritage visits Reza Abbasi museum

TEHRAN – Iran’s Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Ali Darabi, embarked on a noteworthy visit to the Reza Abbasi Museum and Islamic Era Museum on Saturday.

Iran submits Khorramabad’s Valley and Falak-ol-Aflak Fortress for UNESCO recognition

TEHRAN – Iran has submitted a dossier on “Khorramabad's Valley and Falak-ol-Aflak Fortress” to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for a possible registration as a World Heritage.

Deputy minister calls for state-of-art technology integration in Iran museums

TEHRAN - In a recent address, Ali Darabi, the Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, emphasized the transformation of museums into dynamic platforms aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of cultural heritage.

Glory of Ancient Persia attracts visitors to Beijing museum

TEHRAN – In a momentous event celebrating cultural exchange, “The Glory of the Ancient Persia” exhibition was inaugurated at the renowned Palace Museum in Beijing.

Tehran exhibit highlights Palestine through historical documents

TEHRAN – A special exhibition on Palestine has put on show 60 items encompassing historical images, stamps, minted coins, maps, and postcards at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts in Tehran.

Iran’s priorities for UNESCO listings unveiled

TEHRAN – Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister has implicitly unveiled the country’s top four candidates for possible UNESCO registrations.

Restoration of Tehran’s 12th-century brick tower enters final stage

TEHRAN - The restoration of Borj-e Toghrol, a 12th-century cylindrical tomb tower in southern Tehran, has entered its final stages, Mehr said.

Iran has identified 200 tangible and intangible properties worth UNESCO label

TEHRAN—Some 200 tangible and intangible properties have been recognized across Iran that are worth UNESCO label, said Ali Darabi, the deputy for cultural heritage at Iran’s tourism ministry.

Iran invites Saudi Arabia to join Iftar nomination for UNESCO label

TEHRAN - Iran has invited Saudi Arabia to join a possible UNESCO listing for Iftar and its socio-cultural traditions, which are shared among Muslim-majority countries.