Moscow:Iranian Culture Minister Abbas Saleh Shariati has advocated for a strategic roadmap to enhance cultural relations with Russia. He emphasized the role of artists as cultural ambassadors for Iran and highlighted the importance of sustained cultural initiatives.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Saleh Shariati made these remarks at a gathering of Iranian artists in Moscow, part of the 'Days of Iran' events and a 168-member cultural delegation commemorating the Minab martyrs. He stressed that Russia should be a priority in Iran's cultural diplomacy, with activities extending beyond cultural weeks.
The current Iranian cultural events in Russia are noted for their breadth, featuring musicians with over 20 Iranian and Western instruments, artists from nine visual arts disciplines, and representatives from 13 handicraft fields. The delegation also includes theater, cinema, literature, Persian language and poetry experts, as well as media figures.
Saleh Shariati underscored the importance of the host cities‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan, and Astrakhan‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬highlighting their cultural institutions as platforms for further exchange. He referred to the historical cultural ties between Iran and Russia, citing literary exchanges and longstanding bilateral agreements.
The minister called for greater private-sector involvement in cultural activities, suggesting that government institutions should facilitate rather than directly manage these initiatives. He noted the dual importance of cultural engagement in reinforcing both the economic and identity aspects of the arts.
Iran's Ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, remarked that the delegation symbolizes Iran's cultural resilience and commitment to peace, honoring those lost in the Minab school attack.