Media Left - Kourosh Ziabari: Nowadays, you hear the name of Iran for the most catastrophic reasons in the global media headlines. Nuclear weapons, terrorism, mass destruction, violation of human rights, abduction of freedom activists etc. Such hostile approach for the coverage of Iran news which has been taking by the corporation media since long times ago would easily sequence to an international pessimism toward the people of Iran, the culture of Iran and the history of Iran. That’s why, Iran is somehow interpreted as the most misrepresented, misunderstood country in the world that is being distorted by image despite of its richness of civilization.

Speaking to an American scholar of Persian Culture who has devoted almost 15 years of his lifetime to studying the furthest angels and brinks of Persian culture and Iranian lifestyle is worth reading at least once for it gives a clarified and impartial viewpoint of Iran, what the outgoing President of US calls the “Axis of Evil”.

James Russell is a world-distinguished figure, a well-known name for those interested in Persian culture, Persian civilization and Iranian studies. He is a Professor of Armenian Studies at Harvard University and the a former Associate Professor of Ancient Iranian studies at Columbia University while teaching at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem priorly.

At the time being, Professor James Russell of the Harvard University is writing a book on a medieval Armenian collection of tales whose source he believes to be the Buddhist Lotus Sutra, an important scripture written by and for the Silk Road peoples, most of whom spoke Iranian languages.

I conducted an interview with Prof. James Russell with the aim of learning more about the viewpoints of an American university professor about Iran, the misrepresented and misinterpreted country that you can not discover the truths about, unless you travel and sense it face-to-face.

In the brief debate, we talked about various topics such as the life of Persian poet Mowlana, the customs and rituals of Iranian people, the history of Persian Gulf and the richness of Persian literature.

I invite you to come with us to walk you through the corridors of 7500 years history of Greater Persia; certainly you would learn more things, knowing not before!

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Five enamel works by Isfahani artists received the UNESCO Seal of Excellence award on Sunday.
Isfahan is hosting the award reception ceremonies to be attended by several Asian countries, including Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the ceremony’s director Mohammadreza Bazeghi told the Persian service of IRNA.

He added that Iran stands first with 157 works and Kazakhstan takes the second place with 80 artworks in the ceremony that continues until Oct.8.

The jury members of this edition come from Denmark, Malaysia, Thailand, France and the Netherlands, Bazeghi said, adding that based on the regulations, the host cannot be represented by a jury member, he explained.

Bazeghi remarked that several other Iranian products have also received the award so far, including, “ceramic work from Semnan, and tile work from Isfahan. One form of key-lock-making from Chahar-Mahal Bakhtiari, finger ring-making style from Kermanshah, silver items from East Azarbaijan, and filigree-making from Zanjan.”

The Seal of Excellence award serves as a quality control process for both traditional hand-made and innovative products. It guarantees that awarded products are made to meet the highest standards of quality and are produced with careful concern for cultural authenticity and environmental conservation.

To be certified with the seal, a product must be of excellent quality and manufactured in an ethical manner, as well as authentic, innovative, eco-friendly and marketable.

Originally piloted for Southeast Asia in 2000-2003 in cooperation with the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA), the Seal of Excellence has succeeded in raising the standards of Southeast Asian craft products, as well as in improving their marketability. Over the last 3 editions, over 200 Southeast Asian products have participated in the program and 70 products have been awarded the Seal of Excellence.

Adapted from: Mehr News

The Song of Sparrows, an award winning film by Iran’s prominent director Majid Majidi will be screened in cinemas in four continents.

The film is scheduled to be shown in cinemas in Belgium, Colombia, France, Germany, Greece, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand and the US.

The Song of Sparrows, produced in 2008, depicts the story of Karim, who enjoys his work as an ostrich breeder in the countryside near Tehran.

He is fired when one of the birds escapes into the hills. Consequently, he travels to Tehran to repair his elder daughter’s hearing aid and is mistaken for a motorcycle taxi driver and thus his new adventures and changes in his personality begin.

The film’s leading man, Reza Naji won the Silver Bear award for best actor in a leading role at the 58th International Berlin Film Festival.

The film also was screened at the Australia’s Sydney international film festival, 55th San Sebastian International Film festival, UK’s Edinburgh International film festival along with the American 2008 Seattle film festival.

Adapted from: Press TV

Despite the recent decline, Iran is still the world’s leading exporter of hand-woven quality rugs, says Iran’s commerce minister.

Iran produces 515 million square meters of hand-woven rugs annually of which more than two thirds are exported, said Massoud Mirkazemi in the opening ceremony of the 17th exhibition of hand-woven Persian rugs on Friday.

The main target markets for the Iranian hand-woven rugs are Germany, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Japan, Switzerland and Canada and the main competitors of the country are India, Pakistan, China and Nepal, the minister added.

He also referred to the importance of the other floor covers, saying that their production has increased from 31,000 tons valued at $72 million seven years ago to 40,000 tons worth $161,000 million in the last year.

Iran can increase its presence in the untapped markets by greater investment and more production with an eye on the regional markets’ tastes in terms of designs and colors and of course, right marketing means.

Although foreign competitors are in agreement over higher quality of Iranian rugs, they offer cheaper products by using low-quality and inexpensive materials.

Holding international exhibitions and inviting foreign firms will open up greater opportunities for Iranian producers of the Persian rugs in the international markets.

At least 70 suppliers and buyers from 35 American, European and Asian countries are expected to attend this year’s exhibition which will run until August 28.

adapted from: Press TV

 In a ceremony marking the 1150th birth anniversary of Roudaki, Ban ki-moon has hailed the 8th century Iranian poet as a messenger of justice.

Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Mohammad Khazaei, said the purpose of this ceremony was to familiarize other nations of the world with Iran’s rich cultural heritage which is based on compassion and understanding.

“Mutual cultural and religious understanding can bring nations and communities together and inject compassion and mercy (the very basis of all religion especially Islam) into people’s lives” he asserted.

He described Roudaki as a man of wisdom and insight quoting words from the great man himself. “Since the dawn of time, no one who has spent his life pursuing knowledge has ever regretted doing so.”

Khazai honored Roudaki’s revered character by saying that “even after 11 centuries, Roudaki is still a constant reminder of the value of compassion and friendship.”

The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who joined UNESCO representatives at the UN headquarters in New York June 19, hailed Roudaki’s works as a possible basis for global cultural unity.

Abdollah Ja’far Ibn Mohammad Roudaki (859-941 AD) composed his poems in the ‘New Persian’ style and though the exact number of poems Roudaki wrote is not known for sure, around 550 verses have been retrieved from ancient sources and cherished by the Iranian people.

In the course of the ceremony UNESCO representatives and cultural figures from Afghanistan and Tajikistan gave speeches about the renowned Iranian poet.

Adapted from: Press TV