TEHRAN – Two new cultural and artistic centers and a cinema in Iran’s Institute of Children and Youth Intellectual Development Qanoon are scheduled to open simultaneously on November 30, coinciding with the National Day of Trio Islands in the Persian Gulf.
The openings will take place on the islands of Bu Musa, Greater Tunbu and Siri, marking an important step towards expanding cultural access in Iran’s most remote regions.
“Kanoon’s goal is to provide equal access to cultural and educational facilities for children and teens in all regions, especially in remote and underserved areas,” said Hamed Alamati, director of Kanoon. He also emphasized the importance of promoting cultural justice across the country.
Alamati announced that two new cultural centers will be established on Siri Island and Greater Tunbu Island, while a Kanoon cinema will be opened on Bu Musa Island, an area that already has an active cultural center.
He emphasized the population carrying capacity of these areas, explaining that “approximately 600 children and teenagers live on Bu Musa Island, with a total population of 4,213 people and 934 households.”
“Greater Tunbu, with a population of nearly 1,000 people, is home to approximately 46 children and adolescents. The opening of this new cultural center will strengthen the island’s cultural services,” he said.
Regarding Siri Island, Alamatti said: “Out of a population of approximately 2,800 people (mainly workers and their families), 36 children and adolescents will benefit from the new Kanoon Center.”
He stressed that the opening of these centers is part of the national mission to expand cultural coverage and create equal educational and artistic opportunities for children and youth across the country.
Persian Gulf Trio Islands National Day is an important day in Iran’s national calendar, celebrating the sovereignty and strategic importance of the three islands of the Persian Gulf: Greater Tunbu, Lesser Tunbu, and Bumosa. This day highlights Iran’s continued efforts to strengthen its presence and development in these important maritime regions.
The day, November 30, marks the anniversary of Iranian forces retaking the islands from British forces in 1971, a pivotal moment in Iran’s claim to territorial integrity in the Persian Gulf. The day underscores Iran’s resolute stance on asserting its historic and territorial claims to these islands, especially amid an ongoing conflict with the United Arab Emirates, which also claims sovereignty over the islands.
The celebration also serves as a reminder of the island’s cultural, economic and geopolitical importance, and underscores Iran’s efforts to protect its territorial integrity and promote national unity. This occasion promotes national pride and awareness of Iran’s historical ties to these territories, which have been the focus of regional geopolitics for decades.
SAB/