Total:259
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2026-07-04 19:22
Intl. journalists visit damaged Golestan Palace in downtown Tehran
TEHRAN – On Friday, tens of international journalists, photographers, and television crews from various global media organizations visited Tehran's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Golestan Palace to observe sections of the historic complex damaged by a nearby missile strike and to document the ongoing restoration efforts.
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2026-07-03 18:29
Persepolis through the eyes of Iran’s martyred leader
TEHRAN – As Iran prepares to bid farewell to its martyred leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, one of the defining moments reflecting his vision of the country’s cultural identity has once again come into focus: his historic visit to the UNESCO-listed Persepolis in 1988, where he described the ancient site as a “valuable treasure” that must be safeguarded for future generations.
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2026-07-03 18:28
Researcher highlights Isfahan's enduring role in Ta’zieh heritage
TEHRAN - Iran's ritual dramatic art of Ta’zieh continues to thrive across the country, with central Isfahan province widely regarded as the nation's leading center for the centuries-old tradition, according to Iranian researcher and Ta’zieh scholar Esmaeil Mojallali.
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2026-07-01 20:10
By Afshin Majlesi
War, memory and the race to save a civilization
An interview with Dr. Jebrael Nokandeh, Director of the National Museum of Iran
TEHRAN – What happens when one of the world's oldest civilizations is confronted with the realities of modern warfare? How do museums prepare for conflict, protect irreplaceable artifacts, and respond when cultural institutions come under threat? And what lessons have museum professionals learned from navigating these extraordinary challenges?
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2026-06-30 21:05
Shushtar’s World Heritage value lies in its engineering system, not individual structures: official
TEHRAN – The outstanding universal value of Iran’s UNESCO-listed Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System lies in the engineering knowledge and integrated water management system behind its construction rather than its individual bridges, dams or mills, the head of the World Heritage site said as the country marked the 17th anniversary of its inscription.
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2026-06-30 16:41
By Afshin Majlesi
Experts discuss strategies to protect cultural heritage and historic cities during wartime
TEHRAN – Iranian experts on Tuesday examined international approaches to safeguarding cultural heritage and the historical identity of cities during armed conflict, calling for stronger documentation, digital preservation, legal protection, and broader international cooperation while emphasizing the role of cultural resilience in the aftermath of war.
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2026-06-29 17:53
Isfahan unveils tourism roadmap, plans heritage restoration after recent damage
TEHRAN – Isfahan province has prepared a new tourism development roadmap, launched plans to revive historical corridors and begun restoring heritage sites damaged during recent US-Israeli airstrikes, Governor-general Mehdi Jamalinejad said on Monday.
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2026-06-26 17:35
Genetic tests underway on remains found in Ilkhanid royal cemetery
TEHRAN - Iranian archaeologists have begun genetic analysis of human remains uncovered in newly excavated Ilkhanid-era royal tombs near the UNESCO-listed Dome of Soltaniyeh in northwestern Iran, as researchers seek to identify members of the ruling dynasty buried at the site, officials said.
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2026-06-21 17:58
Iran finalizing UNESCO World Heritage nomination for historical windmills
TEHRAN – Iran is completing preparations for the UNESCO World Heritage nomination of its historical Asbads, traditional vertical-axis windmills located in the provinces of South Khorasan, Khorasan Razavi and Sistan-Baluchestan, a senior cultural heritage official said on Saturday.
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2026-06-19 17:55
Achaemenid column base, other relics unearthed in UNESCO-listed Hegmataneh
TEHRAN - Iranian archaeologists conducting the 25th season of excavations at the UNESCO-listed ancient site of Hegmataneh in western Iran have uncovered an Achaemenid-era column base, remnants of medieval Islamic water management systems, and architectural remains dating to the Qajar and early Pahlavi periods, the excavation director said.
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2026-06-17 17:49
Restoration work begins at Shah Abbasi caravanserai in Semnan
TEHRAN – Restoration and rehabilitation work has begun on a historic Shah Abbasi caravanserai in Semnan, northern Iran, focusing on the structure's northern and western sections, local cultural heritage officials said on Wednesday.
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2026-06-15 18:24
Qeshm UNESCO Global Geopark expands digital conservation measures
TEHRAN – The manager of the UNESCO Global Geopark on Iran's Qeshm Island has said new digital monitoring and management systems will be introduced to strengthen protection of the island's geological heritage and expand the use of advanced technologies across the geopark.
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2026-06-15 15:52
Iranian scholar receives MAB Young Scientist Award
TEHRAN – The Department of Environment (DOE) and the National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) have honored the Iranian scholar Behzad Qiasi by presenting him with the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Young Scientists Award 2025 for his project ‘Develop a sustainable hydrotourism model in Iran’s Miankaleh Biosphere Reserve’.
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2026-06-14 18:17
By Afshin Majlesi
Alborz artisans share their craft, passion and concerns
TEHRAN - World Handicrafts Day, observed annually on June 10, is an occasion to celebrate the creativity, skills and cultural heritage of artisans around the globe.
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2026-06-09 16:25
By Afshin Majlesi
Pamenar cited as model for youth return and women’s role in rural tourism development
TEHRAN – Pamenar Village in Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province has emerged as an example of how rural tourism can help reverse migration, create jobs and strengthen local participation, with young residents and women playing a central role in the village’s development, a tourism official said the Tehran Times on Monday.
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2026-06-08 18:08
Alamut’s nomination to be reviewed at UNESCO meeting in South Korea
TEHRAN – Iran's nomination dossier for the Cultural Landscape of Alamut, centered on the historical Alamut fort and a network of related fortresses, has completed the required preparations for consideration by UNESCO and will be reviewed at the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in South Korea in July, a cultural heritage official said.
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2026-06-07 17:11
Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari pursues UNESCO recognition for nomadic migration tradition
TEHRAN – Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province is pursuing a UNESCO registration of its nomadic migration tradition and is prepared to support efforts aimed at securing the ancient practice, a provincial heritage official said.
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2026-06-07 17:10
Lorestan retains leading role in Iran’s national heritage registration: provincial tourism chief
TEHRAN – Lorestan province remains one of Iran’s most significant cultural heritage regions, holding records in national heritage registrations, archaeological sites, and historic bridge architecture, according to provincial heritage officials.
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2026-06-06 16:45
By Hanie Shahrabi
How Persian carpets weave time into art
TEHRAN – Persian carpets are often introduced through familiar ideas: tradition, craftsmanship, heritage, and identity. While these remain essential, they do not fully explain why these objects continue to resonate, specifically with contemporary global audience increasingly attentive to timeless art.
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2026-06-06 16:42
Joint initiative planned to revive rural economy through tourism, digital connectivity
TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said on Saturday that his ministry and the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology are preparing a joint program aimed at creating jobs, expanding tourism and encouraging reverse migration to rural areas.
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2026-06-06 11:37
UNESCO designates Dalankuh–Qamishlou as Iran’s 14th biosphere reserve
TEHRAN - On World Environment Day (June 5), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Dalankuh–Qamishlou as Iran’s 14th biosphere reserve.
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2026-06-05 14:47
UNESCO extends activities of two specialized chairs for Iran
TEHRAN - The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has agreed to extend the activities of two specialized chairs in Iran in the fields of "Water Reuse" and "Coastal Geo-Hazard Analysis."
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2026-06-01 17:26
Traditional cuisine seen as one of key drivers of tourism growth in Yazd province
TEHRAN - Officials in Iran’s central province of Yazd have highlighted the growing importance of traditional cuisine in strengthening tourism and supporting local economic development, saying that promoting indigenous foods can help preserve cultural heritage while attracting more visitors to the region.
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2026-05-31 17:32
By Afshin Majlesi
Riab, an example of heritage preservation, sustainable tourism and community participation
TEHRAN – The historical village of Riab in eastern Iran is emerging as a leading example of heritage preservation, sustainable tourism and community participation as it seeks international recognition through the United Nations Tourism (UN Tourism) Best Tourism Villages initiative.
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2026-05-30 08:25
By Afshin Majlesi
Bajestan: A quiet treasure beyond Iran’s tourist trail
TEHRAN - Set against the plain beauty of eastern Iran’s desert landscapes, the ancient city of Bajestan remains one of the lesser-known destinations of the country, despite possessing a remarkable combination of history, architecture, and natural scenery.
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2026-05-30 08:24
Shushtar aims to become global model for linking heritage and economy
TEHRAN - The director of the UNESCO-listed Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System has called for the ancient Iranian city of Shushtar to become a global model for linking culture, history and economic development, following ceremonies marking Iran’s Cultural Heritage Week.
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2026-05-24 23:12
Echoes of the past: A guard dog sculpture
Being kept at the National Museum of Iran, the pictured sculpture, is a remarkable artwork which dates from the Achaemenid era (c. 550-330BC).
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2026-05-23 21:00
Iranian Ashiq music tradition struggles for survival amid calls for greater support
ZANJAN - The centuries-old tradition of Ashiq music in northwestern Iran remains a vital expression of regional identity and oral history, but a number of performers and enthusiasts say stronger institutional support is needed to preserve the art form for future generations.
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2026-05-23 20:55
Isfahan says restoration of war-damaged historic buildings 80% complete
TEHRAN - Restoration work on Isfahan’s historic buildings damaged during the recent war with the US and Israeli regime has reached 80% completion, with most structural repairs expected to be finalized within two weeks, a municipal official said on Saturday.
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2026-05-23 07:45
Chinese audience embraces Iran’s Golestan Palace in TV program
TEHRAN - A video showcasing Iran’s UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace has drawn engagement from Chinese audiences after being broadcast by China’s state-owned broadcaster China Global Television Network as part of a program marking International Museum Day.