PRIDE AND PAIN AT PARSA-POLIS: What Iran Has Given to the World and What Do We Know About it?
This paper is an invitation to revisit and re-examine facets of one of the most ancient civilizations – Iran – so as to reclaim that heritage and to exercise a degree of control over a historiography which it represents. -Mehdi S. Shariati - 5/13/08
Salt men of Zanjan find permanent home in Zolfaqari House
Over the past decade, six salt men have been unearthed at the Chehrabad Salt Mine located in the Hamzehlu region near Zanjan, Iran. -MNA - 5/12/08
2nd Jiroft confab opens in Iran
The second International Jiroft Conference opened on May 5th in a bid to discuss the early Bronze Age civilization in the southeast of Iran. -Press TV - 5/6/08
Hidden jewel of Afghan culture
Architectural historian and broadcaster Dan Cruickshank treks into the mountains of western Afghanistan to visit and film an architectural treasure, the leaning minaret of Jam. -BBC - 5/5/08
Gordafarid, Iran's First Woman Storyteller
Fatemeh Habibi Zad is Iran's first female storyteller. She is known by her professional name Gord Afarid, which is the name of a heroine in the Shahnameh. - 5/1/08
Persian Gulf or Arabian Gulf? Iranians Prickly Over the Name
On Tuesday, Iran marks National Persian Gulf Day with ceremonies, academic discussions and a rally in front of the embassy of the United Arab Emirates, a country across the Gulf from Iran that has banned the use of the term Persian Gulf. -CNSNews - 5/1/08
Iranian diver to swim around Kish
The professional Iranian diver, Hossein Ashtari is set to swim around Kish Island to commemorate Iran's National 'Persian Gulf' Day. -Press TV - 4/30/08
Students hold protest gathering in front of UAE embassy in Tehran
Hundreds of students held a gathering in front of the United Arab Emirates embassy in Tehran, on Tuesday to protest against the recent move by several Arab states to forge the name of the Persian Gulf. - 4/29/08
Iran to compile Persian Gulf Encyclopedia
Iran has started compiling Persian Gulf Encyclopedia. The encyclopedia will be compiled in 8 volumes during 4 years. -ISNA - 4/27/08
2,200-year-old gemstones found in Iran
Ancient priceless gemstones and jewels belonging to postdated Achaemenid era have been unearthed in Iran's southern province of Fars. -Press TV - 4/27/08
A Quest: Cyrus's Life and Legacy
O Man, whosoever you are and from wherever you come… I am Cyrus, founder of the Persian Empire. Begrudge me not, therefore, little earth which covers my body. -Sara Monajem - 4/24/08
2,200-year-old rilievo discovered in Iran
Archeologists discovered a 2,200-year-old bassorilievo with two back-to-back faces carved on tusk in Iran's southern province of Fars. - Press TV - 4/21/08
UN approves Iran's proposal on combat against trafficking antiquities
Iran's proposal on combat against trafficking antiquities was approved by the 17th session of UN Crimes Commission. -IRNA - 4/19/08
Faces of Iranian-Americans: First Norouz Parade in San Jose, California
The first Norouz (Iranian New Year) parade was held on Market street in downtown San Jose, California on Sunday March 30 -Photos by Ali Moayedian & Mahyar Rahmatian - 4/14/08
Uncle of Darius's name found in Achaemenid inscription in Old Persian for first time
The name of Farnaka, who was the uncle of Darius I, has been identified in a newly discovered Old Persian Achaemenid inscription for the first time. - 4/12/08
Success Story: First Norouz Parade In San Jose, California
The first Norouz parade was held on Market street in downtown San Jose, California on Sunday March 30. The parade started around 12PM and lasted for about an hour. The parade was then followed by a live music and dance performances next to the San Jose Museum. - 4/8/08
Iranians flock outdoors to celebrate ancient festival marking end of Persian New Year holidays
Eager to put aside economic woes and memories of a harsh winter that claimed 64 lives, Iranians flocked to parks and orchards on Tuesday to mark the ancient festival of Sizdeh Bedar, the last day of the two-week Persian New Year holidays. -AP - 4/2/08
Iranians outdoors to mark Sizdehbedar
On Sizdehbedar, also known in Iran as the national 'Picnic Celebration', Iranians leave houses and head for parks, beaches and greenspace to celebrate a happy and healthy holiday season by eating traditional food, munching nuts and playing games. - 4/1/08
Letter to UN Secretary General on the three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf
Undoubtedly the letter of 17 March 2008 to UN Security Council (UN- S/2008/179) by the League of the Arab Nations invoking article 54 of Chapter VIII of the UN Charter pursuant to the United Arab Emirates' territorial ambitions towards Iranian islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa in the Persian Gulf is the best example of attempt to exploit the dangerous precedence set by the United States of America in forcing the UNSC to pass resolutions against Iran on false pretences. -Pirouz Mojtahed-Zadeh, TM University, Tehran - 4/1/08
How About Norooz Pirooz?
In English, there is only one standard way of saying Happy New Year. In French, Bonne Annee, etc. Should Iranians use one standard spelling? If so, which? -Jalal Jonroy, New York - 3/27/08
Celebrating Norouz
Norouz, the Persian New Year, is celebrated in Iran and many Turkic countries in Central and Western Asia, as well as Iraq and Syria. -RFE - 3/25/08
Iran spreads underwater Haft Seen in Persian Gulf
Iran lays out a Haft Seen in the depths of the breathtaking turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf on the occasion of the Iranian New Year. -Press TV - 3/21/08
Noruz in Iran: Customs and Traditions (Part II)
Despite laps of centuries the people of Hamedan are still observing the Noruz rites. Celebrations marking the occasion start in Hamedan one month before the start of the New Year and last until Farvardin 13. One month before Noruz, children gather fragrant herbs and plants from mountains and put them on sale. - 3/20/08
Noruz in Iran: Customs and Traditions
Noruz, a festival marking start of the new Iranian year, is celebrated in Iran. Passage of time has not reduced importance of the traditional festival and it is being observed by people more gloriously each year than the previous year. - 3/19/08
Chahar Shanbeh Suri: The Festival Of The Last Wednesday
The ancient Iranians celebrated the last 10 days of the year in their annual obligation feast of all souls, Hamaspathmaedaya (Farvardigan or popularly Forodigan). They believed Foruhars, the guardian angles for humans and also the spirits of dead would come back for reunion. -Massoume Price - 3/18/08
10 countries to establish Nowruz Museum
Iran, along with nine other countries that celebrate Nowruz, plans to found a Nowruz Museum to showcase the traditions of the festival. - 3/18/08
NOROOZ, the Iranian (Persian) New Year
Norooz, commemorating the New Year, has been celebrated in Iran, formerly Persia, throughout nearly three millennia of its recorded history. Norooz begins at the vernal equinox, the first day of spring season, a day of rejuvenation and reconciliation, and, reinvigorations and rebirth. - 3/17/08
Noruz registerd as cultural heritage
Noruz which falls on spring equinox is celebrated in Iran as national festivity since Persian Empire 3,000 years ago. - 3/17/08
Major law firm enlisted by NIAC to protect Persian Tablets
Thousands of priceless artifacts from Persepolis that are on loan to the University of Chicago risk being auctioned off to the highest bidder. In an effort to defend the collective cultural heritage of Iranian Americans, the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) has secured pro bono representation from with Mayer Brown LLP with connection to the case, Rubin v. Islamic Republic of Iran. -Shadee Malaklou , NIAC - 3/15/08
Iranian and French experts team up for archaeogeophysical studies at Pasargadae
A joint team of Iranian and French experts have recently resumed archaeogeophysical studies in Pasargadae in Iran's southern Fars Province. -MNA - 3/15/08
NIAC enlists major law firm to protect Persian Tablets
Thousands of priceless artifacts from Persepolis that are on loan to the University of Chicago risk being auctioned off to the highest bidder. In an effort to defend the collective cultural heritage of Iranian Americans, the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) has secured pro bono representation from with Mayer Brown LLP with connection to the case, Rubin v. Islamic Republic of Iran. -Shadee Malaklou , NIAC - 3/13/08
Federal Court Threatens Iranian-American Heritage
Tempers between the United States and Iran have flared over Iran’s nuclear program and its alleged intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many have wondered if the two countries would ever find common ground. However, several controversial rulings in the United States federal court have resulted in just that: the United States’ Justice and State Departments have momentarily put aside their differences with Iran in order to protect several thousand Iranian cultural artifacts. -NIAC - 3/13/08
The History of Persia Part II: Classical Persia
In time, the Parthians came to think of themselves as the bloodline-bona fide rulers of Persia, claiming descent from Artaxerxes II (r. 404-358 BCE), and by extension, from Cyrus the Great himself. Basing themselves south of the Caspian Sea and north of the Alborz Mountains, the Parthians created themselves a reborn Achaemenid Dynasty -R. Scott Peoples, Bits of News - 3/13/08
As Costs Rise, Iran's Carpet Producers Look Abroad
Rising production costs are causing some Iranian producers to move operations to India and Pakistan, where labor is less expensive. icularly feeling the squeeze are companies which try to weave the highly ornate styles that traditonally have made Persian carpets so famous. -Charles Recknagelis, Tea and Carpets Blogspot - 3/12/08
Celebrating Tirgan, an ancient Iranian festival
Iranian Canadian Centre for Art and Culture (ICCAC) is proud to present "Tirgan," a summer festival to be held at Harbourfront Centre on July 17-20, 2008. We would like to invite you to join us in celebrating Tirgan and exploring diversity in Iranian art and culture. - 3/10/08
Iranian Carpets according to 15 film directors
Documentaries about Iranian Carpet made by 15 Iranian directors went on screen in Tehran at Farhang cinema's mono-session in mid February. The movie is a collection of 15 documentaries made by 15 Iranian well-known directors. - 3/10/08
Chaharshanbeh-Suri celebrations planned in Tehran's Chitgar Park
Secretary of the celebration, Mohammad-Hossein Pishvaii said that the event is being organized by the Tasvirgaran Institute which aims to revive Persian traditional celebrations which are in danger of dying out. - 3/9/08
UNEP to use Persian Gulf on documents
Iranian researcher Seyyed Mohammad Mahdi Hosseini has convinced the UN Environmental Program to use the Persian Gulf on all documents. -Press TV - 3/9/08
Iran's scientific communities' condemnation letter to Google
Iranian scientific communities and academic associations expressed widespread condemnation of Google's map that shows Persian Gulf under fabricated title of "Arabian Gulf!" -ISNA - 3/8/08
How Traditional Are Iran's Modern Gabbehs?
Is it true that as life gets more complicated, designs get simpler? There is one enduring example. It is Iran's gabbeh carpet – today very simple, and very popular. -Charles Recknagelis - 3/5/08
Razi Family Lecture Series: The Presence of Iran in the Ancient World
March 8th, 2008 at the University of California, Irvine. Subjects covered: a) Art and Archaeology of the Iranian World, b) Religion of the Empires, c)History, Text and Remains of Ancient Iran - 3/5/08
Time for Dipstick Examination of our Assumptions
Thru these observations, the authors do not intend to correct some historical inaccuracies per se, rather to offer some legitimate rationale for undusting and examining some deeply tucked in, unattended but active subconscious beliefs, which we all harbor but might deserve corrections or outright disposing of. -Xosrow Jamsheidi and Jamsheid Jamsheidi - 3/5/08
Photos: Teahouse Paintings Exhibition in Tehran
During our visit to Iran in August 2007, we paid a visit to the House of Artists in Tehran. In of the galleries there, an exhibition of teahouse paintings was in progress. The paintings were simply fantastic. Many of them were depicting scenes from Shahnameh (Ferdowsi's The Book of Kings) or those of Imam Hussain's martyrdom. -Ali Moayedian - 3/3/08
Isfahani children depicting dreams on Norouz eggs
The Children of Isfahan will be welcoming in the Iranian New Year, the renewal of nature and the greenness of spring by painting eggs with colorful designs depicting their hopes and dreams. - 3/3/08
A Letter to Google: It's Persian Gulf
It has come to our attention that Google is including "Arabian Gulf" as a synonym or alternative term for the Persian Gulf on its Google Earth maps. -Persian Gulf Online - 2/28/08
Parthian fortress still watches over Strait of Hormuz
team of archaeologists has recently discovered a large fortress dating back to the Parthian era (250 BC-226 CE) near the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf area. - 2/25/08
Excavations In Iran Unravel Mystery Of 'Red Snake'
New discoveries unearthed at an ancient frontier wall in Iran provide compelling evidence that the Persians matched the Romans for military might and engineering prowess. - sciencedaily.com - 2/21/08
PDF file link: Secrets of the Red Snake - The great wall of Iran revealed
It is longer than Hadrian's Wall and the Antonine Wall taken together. It is over a thousand years older than the Great Wall of China as we know it today. It is of more solid construction than its ancient Chinese counterparts. - www.archaeology.co.uk - 2/21/08
Traditional brick work betrayed by mass production, one of the last brick work artists says
Mohammad Qasem Akhavian, one of the remaining brick workers, who has seventy years of experiences in this field, told handicrafts correspondent of Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA: In people's view, there is no money in brick work art. Therefore they have no interest in learning it. - 2/13/08
"Iran, Seven Faces of a Civilization" wins acclaim
Producers of the book and film "Iran, Seven Faces of a Civilization" were honored in a ceremony held at the Restoration and Renovation Research Center of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) on Wednesday. - 2/13/08
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