Դեռևս մեկ տարի առաջ ՀՀ փոխվարչապետ Մհեր Գրիգորյանը մասնակցելով Իրանի Իսլամական Հանրապետության ազգային տոնի՝ Իսլամական հեղափոխության հաղթանակի 44-րդ տարեդարձի առթիվ կազմակերպված միջոցառմանը հստակ արտահայտեց այն միտքը, որ ապրելով միևնույն տարածաշրջանում հայ և իրանցի ժողովուրդները, միմյանց փոխկապակցված են պատմամշակութային կուռ թելերով, երկու ժողովուրդները կապված են մշակութային սերտ առնչություններով, որոնք շարունակում են թե՛ հայերի և թե՛ իրանցիների կենցաղի, վարք ու բարքի, բազմաթիվ կոթողների և հարուստ մշակութային ժառանգության բնութագրիչ յուրատիպ հատկանիշը լինել:
A year ago, RA Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan participated in the event organized on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the National Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and he clearly expressed the idea that living in the same region, the Armenian and Iranian peoples are interconnected by historical and cultural ties. Moreover, the two peoples are closely related culturally, which is the characteristic feature of both Armenians’ and Iranians' lifestyles, behavior and manners, historical monuments and rich cultural heritage.
"Our two countries, having passed through many centuries of history and various trials, present themselves to the world as exemplary dialogue between Christianity and Islam and cooperating states in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust."
He specifically mentioned in his speech that "the Islamic Republic of Iran was one of the first in the world to recognize the independence of the Republic of Armenia... during the past 31 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, our relations have been on an upward path of development. Armenia-Iran relations are still experiencing dynamic development today, and we fully hope that with joint efforts we will further expand the agenda of interaction between the two countries. Our vision of the future of relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran is best reflected in the 2021-2026 Government program of the Republic of Armenia. We sincerely hope that the high-level political dialogue between the two countries will be a great stimulus for further deepening and strengthening of bilateral cooperation. A multi-sectoral cooperation agenda has been established between Armenia and Iran. I am sure that as a result of joint efforts, we will be able to expand interstate cooperation in the near future for the benefit of the two friendly peoples.>>
Neighborly relations between the two neighboring nations are evidenced by the development trends that indicate economic and cultural relations, which we encounter in many manifestations, such as in 2022 the workshop aimed at strengthening Armenian-Iranian cultural ties held in Matenadaran on December 21, confirming that "Iranians and Armenians can present the status of the Blue Mosque and the freedom of Muslims to practice their religious rituals in Armenia as a symbol of tolerance in Armenia, and on the other hand, the status of Armenian churches and the importance that the government and people of Iran attach to this issue are exemplary."
There are many facts of mutual understanding and cooperation.
In order to acquaint the Armenian public with traditional Iranian culture, customs and rituals, the group of Hamadan artists will perform a number of interesting events in the cultural centers of Yerevan within the framework of the tour program to be held in Armenia. At this moment, we will consider the exhibition of handmade items held, from February 7 to February16, 2024, in the meeting hall of the Blue Mosque of Yerevan, which will be open for citizens and organizations from 10:00 to 18:00.
Souvenirs from Hamadan province are also presented in the pavilion. The unique abilities of Hamadan province in the field of handmade arts and crafts are represented by the works of the following branches:
Sewing
Pottery, painting on a shell
Jewellery
Carpet making
Traditional embroidery.
I ‘d especially like to mention the opening ceremony, which was attended by officials not only from the Iranian side, but also from the Armenian side. The ceremony started with the national anthem of RA, as a sign of special respect, they listened standing, watching the words of the national anthem on videotape under the Armenian tricolor. It was followed by the Iranian national anthem. The reports were translated by an official interpreter. The journalists and reporters did their work uninterrupted.
I cannot help but thank the organizers for the exhibition opened in the Blue Mosque, in the heart of Yerevan. The most colorful part of the centuries-old culture presented to the Armenian society were handmade works and books, the abundance of which was emphasized. It is impossible for someone who has respect and love for his own culture not to have respect for other peoples' culture, written record, literature.The Cultural Center of the Iranian Embassy is doing a great job today. Mohammad Asadi Movahed emphasizes that the country has huge achievements in the fields of science, education, culture, art․ The number of female students studying in the country's universities makes 58 percent, today women have a unique place in the field of science and education, there are 2700 higher education centers in Iran. The 2024 Iranian cooperation program with Armenia includes exchange of students, interesting initiatives in the fields of culture and tourism, as well as extensive programs in the field of film production, and, since Armenian have a great love for art, the cooperation will definitely be fruitful. It is also planned to cooperate in the field of book printing in Armenia, where emphasis will be placed not only on the translation of classics, but also on the translation and printing of works by modern Iranian authors, emphasizing the importance of the translation of Persian literature in the mother tongue for the Armenian reader. Special attention is paid to establishing scholarships for masters and post-graduate students, as well as to effective cooperation with Matenadaran.
We decided to combine visiting the exhibition with visiting the Blue Mosque and the Museum, which are open to all visitors.
We had an interesting conversation with the organizer of the museum exhibition, Habib Didar, a representative of Tabriz University of Islamic Arts, who speaks Armenian very well, about his university, modern Iran and its contemporary unique arts, as well as how the media often distorts the facts and misrepresents the issues.
The museum exhibits extremely interesting handicrafts some of which are for sale. Islamic art is always unique with its colorful and elegant manifestations.
On February 8, the Armenian audience was given the opportunity to participate in the start of the music program.
Iranian traditional music
The musical ensemble "Ayin", presented by the General Department of Culture and Islamic Leadership of Hamadan Province, performed traditional music.
For Diary of the Netherlands / NidOragir
By N. Gasparyan, PhD, Associate Prof., YSU
