The University of Birjand in South Kkhorasan province is hosting the first international conference on tourism in Lut Desert, which is a UNESCO-inscribed and the world’s 27th-largest desert in eastern Iran.
The 1st International Conference on Lut Desert Tourism (Local and International Opportunities) was opened at the University of Birjand in South Kkhorasan province on Wednesday.
The event consists of two programs; the scientific part of it is currently underway at the University of Birjand, and the second program includes a visit to the Lut Desert, widely referred to as Dasht-e Lut, on Thursday.
According to the executive secretary of the Conference, as many as 135 papers from UK, Australia, India, Turkey, Italy and across Iran had been submitted to the secretariat of the event.
The Conference topics include: sustainable tourism and development of communities; tourism and local economy; attractions in Iran’s Lut Desert; sports tourism; geo-tourism; ECO tourism; transportation and community development, among other topics.
The event aims, among others, to promote tourism in South Khorasan province and increase the effectiveness of scientific education and the modern tourism technologies.
A specialized economic and business diplomacy meeting is also scheduled to be held at Birjand’s Chamber of Commerce with a number of Foreign Ministry and Iran Chamber of Commerce officials in attendance.
The Lut Deseret is a large salt desert located in the provinces of Kerman and Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran. It is the world’s 27th-largest desert, and was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List on July 17, 2016. / MNA/
The Nations’ Food festival will be held on 11-16 August 2019 at Milad Tower Exhibition Center with the participation of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) members.
The director of the festival Jalal Zokaie said that the Nations’ Food festival will be held in order to bring nations and countries closer together.
“Some countries have been invited to present their food, besides other NGOs and domestic and foreign food producers can also take part in the event,” he added.
The food festival will be sponsored by Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran, Touring & Automobile Club of Iran, Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and ECO Cultural Institute (ECI). The aims of this festival are to introduce indigenous Iranian and foreign foods, talent identification and selecting the best culinary talents and introducing top international chefs. / MNA /
Deputy Chancellor of Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) for International Affairs Hadi Shah-Hosseini said on Sat. that Iranian and German scientists launched 12 scientific projects jointly.
Speaking at the 5th National Working Group of international scientific cooperation with Germany, he expounded on the bilateral cooperation and launch of 12 national projects between scientists of the two countries.
He went on to say that researchers of the two countries have taken launch of the following plans into consideration, the most important of which are as follows: setting up working group for scientific and international interactions with Germany, organizing joint scientific committee between Iran and Germany, planning for organizing Iran Science Day in Germany, defining 12 projects in national level among Iranian and German scientists and supporting scientific interactions between university lecturers and researchers.
“Iran Science Day” in Germany is an annual conference for the development and promotion of scientific ties with Germany, he said, adding, “launching a peer-to-peer system, determining the most important fields of scientific interaction, paving suitable ways for holding specialized bilateral scientific workshops and also creating motivation for fulfilling international industrial projects are of the main objectives of the annual conference.”
Shah-Hosseini revealed the visit of a 60-member delegation of Iranian universities to Germany in the course of organizing Iran Science Day in this European country. / MNA/
The national Iranian freestyle wrestling team has powerfully won the Asian Championships in China with 220 points.
At the end of day 2 of the 2019 Asian Championships which was held in China’s Xi’an on 23-24 April, the Iranian freestyle wrestlers were crowned after clinching 7 gold medals and 3 bronzes.
Iranian national team won three gold medals and 2 bronzes on the opening day of the competitions yesterday.
Reza Atrianchi(57kg), Behnam Ehsanpour (61kg), Bahman Taimouri (79kg), Kamran Ghasempour (86kg), Alireza Karimi (92kg) and Yadolah Mohebi (125kg) were the gold winners, while Peyman Biabani (56kg), Mohammad Nokhodi (74kg) and Yunes Emami (70kg) brought home Iran’s three bronze medals.
Iran became champion with 220 points followed by India (155pts) and Kazakhstan (129pts) in the second and third places, respectively./ MNA /
Iranian gardens have for nearly 6,000 years combined the beauty of nature with the aesthetic qualities of art and architecture to create a symbolic representation of paradise on earth.
Ancient Iranians, who regarded planting trees as a sacred activity, gradually blended their expertise in agriculture and architecture into the design of gardens as part of their constant efforts to find more efficient ways to survive extreme climatic conditions.
There are four main elements to the intricate geometric design of Iranian gardens: High walls surrounding the garden to create a protected space for spiritual and leisurely relaxation; a koushk (palace) on the highest point in the middle of the garden; a water pool decorated with tileworks and fountains; one or several water canals for irrigation of the entire green space.
The file photo shows the UNESCO World Heritage Eram Garden in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz.
Iranian gardens often integrate the indoor area of the koushk with its surrounding garden through an inner courtyard, with architectural elements such as vaulted arches connecting the two spaces.
Iranian gardens were basically built in front of the water flow coming out of qanats, underground tunnels for transferring of water. The water then circulates in the garden through streams and the pool.
Tall trees such as cedar, pine and plane surround the pool and streams, creating an extensive shadow which prevents water evaporation and cools down the area. Flowers with strong scent are also planted in the area to produce pleasant smell in the environment.
The pool is normally located in front of the Koushk, functioning as a large mirror which reflects a full image of the mansion.
The file photo shows Fin Garden in the central Iranian city of Kashan.
The idea of building earthly paradises became a key part of the Iranian culture and spread to other cultures during the Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC).
Nearly 2,500 years ago, Cyrus the Great ordered the construction of a garden in Pasargad royal complex in the southern province of Fars. The garden which had magnificent pavilions, orchids, pools and terraces was laid out symmetrically in a four-part system and it is considered as the first official example for the style of Persian gardens.
During the Sasanian Empire (224-651 AD), decorative and functional use of water fountains and ponds became more important in gardens under the influence of Zoroastrianism and its respect for the vital value of water.
The file photo shows Shazdeh Garden in the town of Mahan in the southeastern Iranian province of Kerman.
The file photo shows Shazdeh Garden in the town of Mahan in the southeastern Iranian province of Kerman.
After Islam, the geometric design and aesthetic aspect of gardens increased in importance and became a major influence in the design of gardens from Andalusia in Spain to India and beyond.
Humayun’s Tomb and Taj Mahal, which were built under the Mughal Empire (1526-1857 AD) in India, have some of the largest Persian gardens in the world.
The file photo shows Taj Mahal in the Indian city of Agra.
The design of Iranian gardens reached its zenith during the Safavid Dynasty (1501–1736) which designed the urban planning of its first and second capital cities, Qazvin and Esfahan, based on the style of Persian gardens.
There are currently 12 UNESCO World Heritage Persian Gardens in the world, including nine in Iran, two in India and one in Pakistan.
The file photo shows Dowlatabad Garden in the central Iranian city of Yazd.
Apart from the role of Persian Gardens in Iranian architecture and urban designing, the gardens have had the most significant influence in the artistic design of Persian carpets.
Persian carpets mainly depict a panorama of a heavenly garden with visible illustrations of architectural and artistic elements of Iranian gardens.
In Persian carpets, gardens, as the symbols of paradise, transcend the restrictions of place and time and picture a world in which the body and soul can achieve peace.
A discussion followed by a cultural programme was held in the city on Friday on the occasion of Iranian New Year Nowruz and Bangla New Year.
Iran Cultural Centre and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy jointly organised the programme at the Shilpakala Academy.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury was present at the event as the chief guest while Dr Kazem Kahdouei, Iranian visiting professor at the Persian Language and Literature department of Dhaka University, and Mamunur Rashid, eminent drama director and actor, were present as special guests.
Speakers said Nowruz is one of the oldest and most important festivals of Iranians, which has helped the Iranians build a society where different religions, colours and languages which exists for centuries.
Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of Shilpakala Academy, presided over the programme.
Cultural performances were presented by students of the DU Persian Language and Literature department and performers of Shilpakala Academy.
On the occasion of Nowruz (Iranian New Year) and Bangla Noboborsho Iran Cultural Centre, Dhaka and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy have jointly organized a discussion and cultural program at Jatiyo Shangit and Nrittyakala Kendro auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Friday, 12th April, 2019, 4 p.m.
Mr. Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury MP, Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Shipping, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh will be present as Chief Guest, while Professor Dr. Kazem Kahdouei, Iranian Visiting Professor, Dept. of Persian Language & Literature, University of Dhaka, and Mr. Mamunur Rashid, Eminent Drama Director & Actor will be present as special guests.
Liaquat Ali Lucky, Director General, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will preside over the program.
Cultural Performances will be presented by the students of Persian Language & Literature Department, University of Dhaka and by the performer of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Iranians are celebrating the National Nature Day today by picnicking and spending time outdoors with their families to bid farewell to the Iranian New Year’s holidays.
Locally known as “Sizdah Bedar”, the national day is held annually on the 13th day of Farvardin, which falls on April 2 in normal years and April 1 in leap years, to mark the end of Nowruz holidays.
The traditional ritual is aimed at promoting humankind’s friendship with nature.
Among the rituals performed during this day are the traditional releasing of sprouting greens, known as ‘sabzeh’, back into nature to bring good luck.
Knotting the greenery is also customary for young single people, especially young girls. They tie the blades of the greenery together before discarding it, making a wish and hoping that it would come true in the year head of them.
Persian calendar starts on March 21 every year (March 20 in leap years), when people celebrate the 13-day long holiday to prepare themselves for a great year ahead.
This year’s Nowruz festivities, however, were marred by devastating natural disasters, including heavy rains and flash floods, in several Iranian provinces, which left dozens of people dead or injured or displaced.
Meanwhile, the government and rescue organizations, along with the armed forces, have stepped up the relief efforts to salvage the damage as fast as possible, and hopefully help the Iranians overcome the current hardships and experience a more serene and prosperous year they had wished for. /MNA/
Iranian free style wrestling team ranked 1st in three medals in the U-23 Senior Asian Championships which is underway in Mongolia.
Iranian squad with 4 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals won the Asian Championships.
Mongolia and Kazakhstan with 177 and 146 points ranked second and third respectively.Yazdani in the weight category of 65kg defeated Chinese rival and in semi-final match he overpowered India and advanced to final stage, IRNA reported.
In final match, he was overshined by Mongolia and received a silver medal.
In 74kg weight category, Zangeneh defeated Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan and advanced to semi-final match.
In semi-final stage, he hit Kazakhstan and advanced to final match.In final match, he was defeated by Mongolia and snatched as silver medal.
Moradi in the weight category of 125 kg, defeated China, but was overpowered by Mongolia and advanced the semi-final match.
In semi-final match, he was overshined by Kazakhstan and advanced to qualifiers.He defeated Kyrgyzstan 11-9 and grabbed a bronze medal.
The U-23 Senior Asian Championships was held in Ulan Bator, Mongolia on March 21-24. /Iran daily/
Abuzar Ebrahimi Turkman, Head of Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO), in a message has congratulated Iranian people on the occasion of the New Year.
According to Public Relations Department of Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO), the Iranian New Year (Nowruz) message of the Head of ICRO reads as Follows:
Once again spring has arrived so that we can see the wisdom of the almighty God and be grateful for his blessings that by awakening the nature has presented us with beauty and fragrance of the spring.
We left behind the 1397 solar year, a year that machinations of our country”s enemies took a new turn but everyone knows that dignity and glory, are all time characteristics of Iranian Muslim nation who trough unity and resistance create a bright future for their homeland.
I use this auspicious occasion and congratulate my fellow countrymen and expatriate Iranians the arrival of spring marked by Nowruz and wish them success, glory wellbeing, health and prosperity throughout the year 1398.
