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.

Blue Shield! Does it shield Iran’s cultural heritage in wartime?

TEHRAN--Wars destroy not only people but also culture, historical memory, and identity of nations, and in the meantime, the “Blue Shield” can be a kind of shield against the cultural heritage of any country.

Iran seeks investors to revive 41 heritage sites in 16 provinces

TEHRAN – Iran’s revitalization fund for historical and cultural places has announced the launch of a major public auction aimed at attracting investors to restore, preserve, and make productive use of 41 historical sites located in 16 provinces across the country.

19 Muharram-mourning elements made national heritage

TEHRAN – A selection of 19 religious and cultural traditions associated with the mourning rituals of Muharram in the northern Gilan province have been inscribed on Iran’s National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, a local official announced on Monday.

NGOs urge UNESCO to act against Israeli attacks threatening Iran’s cultural heritage

TEHRAN - A coalition of 51 Iranian non-governmental organizations dedicated to cultural heritage and tourism has sent a formal letter to UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay, condemning Israeli airstrikes on Iran and warning of their severe threat to the country’s invaluable cultural and historical sites.

WAC issues urgent statement on Gaza cultural heritage crisis

TEHRAN - The World Archaeological Congress (WAC), a leading international body of archaeologists committed to human rights and the protection of cultural heritage, has issued a powerful statement addressing the deepening humanitarian and cultural crisis in Gaza.

Tehran, Tashkent explore museum exhibitions and heritage cooperation

TEHRAN - Iran has expressed readiness to expand cultural cooperation with Uzbekistan, particularly in the areas of joint museum exhibitions, world heritage registrations, and historical restoration projects.

Late Ayatollah Taleqani’s house registration plate unveiled at Tehran ceremony

TEHRAN - In a ceremony held on Tuesday evening, the registration plate for the late Ayatollah Mahmoud Taleqani’s historic house was officially unveiled, marking its inclusion on Iran’s national cultural heritage list.

By Afshin Majlesi

How Iran’s Kordasht is a beacon for heritage tourism

JOLFA – Nestled in the tranquil landscapes of Iran’s East Azarbaijan province, the village of Kordasht serves as a living monument to history. It resonates with the courage of Iranian soldiers who defended their homeland against Tsarist Russian invasions over the decades.

Schoolboy discovers historical engraved brick in western Iran

TEHRAN - A schoolboy in Delfan county of Lorestan province, has accidentally discovered a piece of historical significance: an engraved brick believed to date back to an early historical period.

Plans to safeguard 2800-year-old Urartu inscription announced

TEHRAN – East Azarbaijan’s deputy director for cultural heritage has shed light on ongoing efforts to protect the ancient Urartu-era cuneiform inscription in the Nashtiban region of the northwestern province.

Earthquake in Khuzestan: emergency inspection conducted at Shushtar World Heritage site

TEHRAN - Following a series of earthquakes including a 5.6-magnitude one that struck Khuzestan early Thursday morning, emergency inspections were carried out at Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

By Afshin Majlesi

Masghati: a culinary jewel of Lar

LAR, Fars Province - A translucent dessert, with its gentle floral aroma and silky texture, the Masghati of Lar is a jewel of regional cuisine in the ancient city, situated in southern Iran.

Cultural heritage is a pillar of unity: minister’s message to intl. festival

SHIRAZ - The Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, shared a message to mark the opening of the 3rd International Multimedia Festival of Cultural Heritage, emphasizing the profound connection between cultural heritage and national unity.

Iran-India partnership aims to protect and promote shared written treasures

TEHRAN - In a recent meeting, the Director of the National Museum of India, B.R. Mani, and the Iranian ambassador to India, Iraj Elahi, reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation for the preservation of shared cultural heritage between the two countries.

Rafsanjan exhibit to welcome artisans from 31 provinces

TEHRAN - Rafsanjan, an ancient city in the southern Kerman province, will host a major handicraft exhibition, showcasing traditional arts and crafts from 31 provinces across Iran.

Isfahan’s historical fabric boundaries set for revision

TEHRAN - Legal boundaries for Isfahan’s historical fabrics will undergo updates to enhance their preservation, the provincial tourism chief said on Wednesday.

Kazerun Anthropology Museum to undergo restoration

TEHRAN - Kazerun Anthropology Museum, located in the ancient city of Kazerun in Fars province, is set to undergo extensive restoration, according to the provincial heritage chief.

Urartu-era cuneiform inscription vandalized in northwest Iran

TEHRAN - Treasure hunters have vandalized an ancient cuneiform inscription and Iron Age cemetery in East Azarbaijan province, northwest Iran.

UNESCO assessor visits prehistoric caves in Khorramabad’s valley

TEHRAN - A UNESCO assessor has visited several prehistoric caves in Khorramabad’s valley as part of an ongoing evaluation process for the inclusion of “Khorramabad’s Valley and Falak-ol-Aflak Fortress” in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

9,000-year-old Ozbaki hill to become open-air museum

TEHRAN - Restoration work has begun at the ancient Ozbaki archaeological site in Alborz province, a 9,000-year-old landmark aimed to become an open-air museum, drawing tourists and preserving a key piece of human history.

New pathway to enhance visitors’ experience at 1,600-year-old palace

TEHRAN - A new tourist pathway is being constructed to enhance access and protection at the Sassanid Palace in Sarvestan, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Excavations at Milmiluneh reveal pottery from Sassanid to Safavid eras

TEHRAN – Recent excavations at the Milmiluneh site, Situated in Markazi province, have unearthed a tapestry of pottery spanning from the Sassanid to Safavid periods, shedding new light on the site’s historical significance.

Sassanid-era fire temple ruins found in Lorestan after illegal excavation

TEHRAN – Archaeologists have unveiled a Sassanid-era fire temple in Rashidabad, Lorestan, after illegal excavation activities prompted an urgent excavation, revealing key elements of this ancient structure.