Iran highly appreciates concert on 100th anniversary of Armenian  National Philharmonic

ArmInfo.  Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Seyed Reza Amiri, at a meeting with Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports  (MSCSS) Zhanna Andreasyan, who is on an official visit to the IRI,  highly appreciated the steps taken to strengthen cultural ties  between Armenia and Iran.

As reported by the press service of the MESCS of Armenia, Seyed Reza  Amiri especially noted the concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary  of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra in Persepolis as an  event of special historical significance that received wide resonance  among the Iranian public.

He added that the concert was broadcast live on the Iranian Public  Television and gathered thousands of viewers.

"This concert can be an important beginning for the restoration and  development of cultural ties. Our archaeologists also noted that such  large-scale events are rarely held in the Persepolis complex, so this  step was important and unique, clearly demonstrating the historical  and cultural ties of the two peoples," Seyed Reza Amiri emphasized.

Andreasyan, in turn, pointed to the friendly and historical ties that  have developed between the two countries, emphasizing the great  potential for developing relations.

She also highly appreciated the recent visit of the Iranian President  to Armenia, which, according to the minister, further enriched the  agenda of the strategic partnership of the two countries with new  aspects.

"I am glad that one of the important components of this cooperation  is culture, in the direction of which a number of joint documents  have already been signed. The concert that took place is a vivid  example of active intercultural interaction. I was very impressed by  the exceptional historical and cultural values of both Shiraz and the  Persepolis complex, where the presence of the Armenian community is  also obvious.  Such events contribute to the popularization of  monuments, while maintaining the necessary caution and safety rules,"  Andreasyan said, expressing gratitude for the assistance provided in  organizing the concert.

During the meeting, the parties also touched upon the important role  of the Armenian community of Iran, especially noting the effective  work of the Armenian Embassy in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The  parties highly appreciated the prospects for expanding cooperation  between the two countries in the field of museums, silversmithing,  crafts, as well as the restoration and preservation of monuments,  emphasizing the need for experience exchange programs in these areas.

The issue of submitting joint applications for inclusion in the  UNESCO World Heritage List was discussed, and the issue of the  Heritage List was touched upon in this regard. Touching upon the  development of cooperation in the field of crafts, Andreasyan  proposed organizing a joint exhibition of the Hovhannes Sharambeyan  Museum of Folk Crafts and the Museum of the Islamic Republic of Iran.  She also invited the Iranian side to participate in the annual  "International Crafts Festival" organized by the RA MESCS,  emphasizing the importance of the participation of Armenian craftsmen  in similar festivals held in Iran.

The parties also discussed the possibilities of cooperation in the  field of tourism. Andreasyan emphasized the important role of museum  exhibitions in the development of tourism and proposed to highlight  the historical presence of Armenia in Iran during the exhibitions  planned in Yerevan.

The Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Iran  noted that Armenia is one of the priority destinations for Iranian  tourism.

Andreasyan invited her Iranian counterpart to take part in the  international conference "Cultural Crossroads", which will be held in  Yerevan on November 26-28 and will be dedicated to the 20th  anniversary of the adoption of the UNESCO Convention on the  Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

During the meeting, other issues of mutual interest were also  discussed, areas of cooperation were outlined, and bilateral  readiness for active actions to strengthen ties and implement new  initiatives was expressed.