Holding cultural weeks shows highest level of Iran’s ties with other countries

Sadeq Dehqan Staff writer

Director-General of Cultural Cooperation and Iranians Abroad of Islamic Culture and Relations Organization said that holding cultural weeks shows the highest level of cultural relations between Iran and other countries, adding that Iran is making efforts to develop programs of joint cultural weeks.

Mohammad-Ali Kiani told an Iran Daily reporter that the weeks are held with the aim of expanding cultural relations and interactions and introducing cultural manifestations of each country.

He continued that Iran has great capacity in terms of art and culture, adding that the opportunity must be seized to expand its relations with other countries.

Considering the importance of holding cultural weeks with other countries, efforts are being made to hold at least three or four cultural weeks in a year, Kiani noted.

Speaking on future cultural weeks, he said the Russia Cultural Week will be held in May 2023, adding that Iran Cultural Week will follow.

The cultural week organizers decided that holding such programs must not be limited to Tehran, because people from various regions of the country are interested in learning about the cultural activities of other countries, Kiani noted.

He added that the cities of Shiraz and Isfahan will also host the programs of the Russia Cultural Week.

The previous Russian Cultural Week last year, attended by over 70 Russian artists, was held in Tehran, Qazvin and Isfahan, he said.

Considering the close relations between Iran and Russia, and in the framework of further development of cultural relations and cooperation between the two countries, cultural agreements have been made between the officials of Iran and Russia, according to which cultural weeks are being held every two years.

To further expand bilateral ties, Iran Film Week in Russia and Russia Film Week in Iran are held every year.

Pointing out that cinema is an effective language for expressing ideas and cultural interaction between countries, he said, it is highly influential for both countries to have a better understanding of the other country.

Speaking on the cultural week held during the current Iranian year, he said Iran hosted Syria and Tajikistan cultural weeks.