Pakistan

Festival: The glory of Iran through the hourglass

Handicrafts, books and movies on showcase the rich culture.

Photo Myra Iqbal/sehrish Ali February 06, 2013

The pictures and stalls presented a side of the country not many people were familiar with. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD:

Almost like a film on history, the Iranian festival highlighted the culture and norms of Iran in vivid detail. Held at Pakistan National Council of the Arts, the festival also brushed upon the Islamic Iranian Revolution through photographs.

Visitors browsed through a display of portraits and landscapes. Each image told a story from the black and white scenes of the revolution to missile construction. The showcase was aimed at Iran after the Revolution and its strong economy and defence.

Some were awestruck by the photographs of modern day Iran. “I never knew of Iran’s cityscapes and breathtaking landmarks. Such exhibitions encourage people learn about a country which they may consider travelling to,” said Tehmina Amir, a visitor who enjoyed a cup of kehva.

Moving on, the pictures changed to skylines of Iranian urban areas such as the Resalat Tunnel, Tehran’s central square and skyscrapers. “These pictures truly depict the Iranian struggle, the common man coming out and making a change. It makes us proud,” said Adila Kheshawarz, cultural officer at the Iranian embassy.

On one side, there were metallic and wooden handicrafts. These included the handmade Khatam Kari, Qalam Kari and Sanaye Dasti, chiselled and painted.

Federal Minister for National Integration and Heritage Samina Ghurki who was the chief guest at the event, appreciated the display. “This exhibition is a small percentage of actually how rich in culture Iran is, it has one of the most progressive yet traditional cultures,” she said.

Iranian movies and television shows attracted a large crowd who browsed though movies such as Maryam-e-Muqadas or the popular television series Ighma, that depicts the influence of the devil over people and Jabir Bin Hayan.

“Being rich in oil, Iran has put its resources to good use. We should take a leaf out of their books and learn from the pride they take in their country,” said Ali Bukhari, who had come in search of Iranian movies.

Moreover, scores of women lined up for a fortune-telling reading by Razia Akbar, professor at National University of Modern Languages. She sourced the wisdom of the legendary Iranian poet Hafiz. The exhibition will continue till February 10.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2013.