Iranian Cultural Week kicks off in Doha

The 2010 Arab Culture Capital is playing host to a variety of Iranian artworks, exhibits, film screenings and live music performances.

In a press conference held on the opening day, Hosseini talked about the recent cooperation between both countries and said, “As bilateral political relations are increasing, we need to develop our cultural ties as well.”

He also said that both parties have agreed to help facilitate joint cinematic productions, hold book fairs in Iran and Qatar and dispatch artists to promote art from both countries.

Qatar’s Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, also taking part at the ceremony, stressed on enhancing cultural relationships.

Both countries need to continue development of their cultural ties in the coming years and should not limit these activities to only the year 2010, he said.

A wide range of exhibits is designed for the week including exhibits of traditional costumes, book fairs and photos.

The exhibit “Iran of Today” organized by the Iranian Photographers Center (IPC) was inaugurated on opening day and features Iranian potentials especially in industry.

During the five-week event, over 50 photos by 37 photographers are on show. Also present at the exhibit is veteran photographer Hassan Ghaffari.

Screening films with Arabic subtitles is also on the program for the week. Included are “Heiran” by director Shalizeh Arefpur, “Canaan” by Mani Haqiqi, “So Close, So Far” by Reza Mirkarimi, and “The Postman Doesn’t Knock on the Door Three Times” by Hassan Fat’hi.

Photo: A Haft Seen Table of a Zoroastrian family in Yazd in undated photo by Iranian photographer Hassan Ghaffari, whose works on display in an exhibition during the Iranian Cultural Week in Doha