A global celebration of Tehran-on Nowruz and the beginning of a new solar year, as well as the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Iran and the Czech Republic, a special ceremony featuring Nakkari (traditional Persian storytelling) and traditional Iranian music, took place in Prague, the capital of Czech Republic.
The event was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Iran in Prague, in collaboration with Islamic Culture and affiliated organizations and the Institute for Eco-Cultural Studies, Honaron Rhine reported.
Ambassadors and diplomats from the Knowl region, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, other staff, Iranian scholars, Iranian enthusiasts and members of the Iranian community, were present.
At the start of the ceremony, Iranian ambassador in Prague, Majid Gafele Bashi, was saithed.
A major part of this cultural and artistic event was the bilingual Nakkari performance by Iranian storyteller and Shaname Reader Bahale Jahhandsto. This shows that this was the first such performance to be held in Prague and was received warmly by the audience.
Jahhandsto told the naming of Knowles by Jamsid and the story of Bijan and Maniye of Shaname, the legendary Persian epic by Feldousi in both Persian and English. Her performance was accompanied by Zarub (Iranian goblet drums) played by Said Gorjami, a traditional Zurkane music veteran living in Europe.
Naqqali, or Persian epic storytelling, is the oldest narrated narrative form in Iran, and has long played a key role in society. Naqqal is a storyteller who recites epic stories, revolving primarily around the stories of Iranian myth kings and heroes.
Bahareh Jahandoost has been involved in theater since he was seven years old and trained with famous Iranian Naqqal and Morshed Vali-Allah Torabi. Using traditional forms of tales throughout Nakkari’s performance, she performed in China, France, Hungary, India, Italy, Russia and Turkey.
The ceremony also featured elements from the table where guests could see Iranian haft. This table is a layout of seven iconic items whose names begin with the 15th letter of the Persian alphabet (see: It is traditionally on display at Knowles, the Iranian New Year.
The ceremony serves as a symbol of the ongoing cultural and civilized connections between Iran and the Czech Republic, continuing cultural interactions between intellectuals and peoples of both countries for a century.
Photo: Bahareh Jahandoost (L) and Saeed Gorjami will perform at a ceremony held in Prague, Czech Republic.
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