Reza Salehi-Amiri was speaking at the International Iranian Studies Conference focused on “Cultural Dialogue, Opportunities and Collaborative Capabilities” held at the Imam Khomeini (RA) Complex of the Organization for Islamic Culture and Communication on Saturday. The conference will include Armenia, Greece, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Georgia, China, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Tunisia, Oman, Iraq and other countries.
At this prestigious conference, Salehi-Amiri called Iran “a country with deep layers of history, culture and civilization,” stressing that Iran is more than just geography, a country of secrets and mysteries.
Salehi-Amiri referred to the essence of Iran’s cultural identity, adding that Iranian identity is a series of continuous living layers. This identity was formed not through discontinuity but through a long and continuous creative process, and this historical continuity was the secret of Iran’s survival.
He considered Iran’s history to be an excellent example of cultural resistance, noting that many invaders invaded the land and territory, but what remained was Iranian culture and civilization.
Clarifying Iran’s civilizational role, the Minister of Culture pointed out that “in the historical context of the Silk Road, Iran has played the role of intermediary between cultures. Iran has benefited from and influenced various traditions. These continuous exchanges have made Iran’s identity dynamic, constructive and global.”
Elsewhere in his remarks, he pointed to UNESCO’s global inscription of the Charter of Cyrus the Great and said the recognition of this initiative by a global consensus shows that the legacy of justice, tolerance, respect for diversity and protection of human dignity is deeply rooted in Iranian culture and continues to inspire the world today.
He added that Iran is one of the few countries that accepts almost all types of tourism, and its handicrafts, with more than 299 registered inscriptions, preserve “the aesthetic texture and historical memory of the land”.
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