I still remember the music that echoed through Vahdat Hall. It was the opening night of Russian Culture Week in Tehran. This is an event that made everything, truly beautiful. Officials, artists, students, media activists, curious citizens – we were all there.
The performance that night felt timeless. A Russian ensemble played traditional folk music. There were also classic instruments. For a while, it didn’t feel like Tehran. It felt like a cultural bridge had really been built right in front of us.
The opening ceremony of Russian Culture Week in Iran, which will be held until June 10th and June 15th.
The next day my colleague and I headed to the Nearbaran Cultural Center. A Russian handicraft exhibition was held there. Antique cuisine and hand-carved figurines – each item tells a quiet story from a different land. People took photos, asked questions, and shared smiles with Russians who had traveled so far. It was very calm and peaceful.
But then there was a war.
Just two days later, the atmosphere changed. Once filled with notes of music and art, the city’s atmosphere was owned by the sounds of air defense and explosions. Israel’s unprovoked attacks made everything upside down. Israel has launched a surprising strike deep in Iran’s territory. This is a direct attack that shatters a sense of peace. The air once filled with music and friendship was now tense. The fragile bridge of cultural exchange has now been caught up in the crossfire of conflict.
There are countries in my country that do not succumb to pressure or threats. With deep pride and unwavering determination, the army, supported by the support of the people, declared that they would respond in full. The spirit of rebellion was everywhere. It was in the streets, in millions of minds, and in every word spoken by those who stood against the attack. The conflict is escalating and reflects the indomitable resolve of a proud country that does not want to surrender.
For 12 days, the conflict was furious – a brutal testimony to the courage and resilience of the Iranians – ultimately, after a ruthless struggle, a ceasefire stopped the fight.
The day before the Israeli attack, I was busy writing a second report of the event, but I didn’t even have the opportunity to publish it. The Israeli attack closed the cultural centre. The public event has been cancelled. The Russian delegation quietly returned home. There will be no closing ceremony. There is no breakup.
At the time I couldn’t finish my story. I kept the photos on my phone – the hopeful eyes of crafts, musicians, visitors. I’m sharing them now to not only document the lost events, but also to show whether this war is really expensive.
Sometimes wars don’t destroy only buildings and bodies. Sometimes, it destroys beauty and hope without making sounds.
You can find my first report here.
By Mohaddeseh Pakravan