WANA (Dec 04) – Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, announced the addition of two more Iranian intangible cultural assets to UNESCO’s list, raising the country’s total to 26.

 

Speaking on Wednesday after a cabinet meeting, Salehi Amiri emphasized the significance of Mehregan, an ancient Iranian festival celebrated as an equal to Nowruz. “This festival, with deep historical roots, is associated with the early days of autumn, the harvest season, and thanksgiving.

 

It represents solidarity among divine religions in a diverse society. Mehregan also fosters national unity across various ethnic and religious groups,” he stated. Notably, Mehregan has been jointly registered with Tajikistan.

 

The minister also highlighted progress in the recognition of Nowruz, saying, “Mongolia recently joined as the 13th country to co-register Nowruz with UNESCO. This historic milestone showcases the universal appeal of this ancient Iranian tradition.

Esfahak of Tabas Gains Global Recognition. Social Media / WANA News Agency

Esfahak of Tabas Gains Global Recognition

WANA (Nov 13) – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism announced that the village of Esfahak in Tabas County, South Khorasan Province, has received global recognition as one of the “Best Tourism Villages” of 2024 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).   Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi Amiri stated, “Today, November 13, […]

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Since its initiation in 2009, Nowruz has brought together countries like Azerbaijan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan in the first phase, followed by Afghanistan, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan in 2016, and now Mongolia.”

 

Salehi Amiri described Nowruz as “a symbol of national unity, peace, and friendship for Iranians, marking the beginning of the Persian calendar and holding a unique place in the hearts of the people.”

 

In addition to Mehregan, the traditional Rubab musical instrument has also been recognized by UNESCO. Salehi Amiri noted its historical importance, saying, “The Rubab is one of Iran’s oldest instruments, frequently mentioned in the works of poets like Rumi, Nezami Ganjavi, and Hafez.

 

It has been a staple in religious and ritual ceremonies, symbolizing love, mysticism, and morality. This instrument has been a recurring motif in Iranian miniature paintings, further underscoring its cultural significance.”

Rubab is an Iranian musical instrument. Social media/ WANA News Agency