May 20, 2021 The first specialized workshop on cultural heritage was held on Kharg Island, according to the Persian Gulf island’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts 5 Department, CHTN reported.

Iranica Desk

n the eve of the national Iranology Day (May 19), the Iranology Foundation held an interna- Otional conference to expand studies in various fields to examine the role of in a global civilization in three stages of ancient Iran, Iran after Islam, and Iran after the Islamic Revolution. The role of Iranian and Islamic culture and civiliza- tion and the position and impact of this great civiliza- tion on other ones were discussed during the Tuesday conference, on the eve of the national Iranology Day. The virtual “International Conference on Iran and Global Civilization – A Series of World Dialogues on countries. in the 15th Century” was held with The event was also accompanied by the participa- eight axes including the role of Iranian-Islamic culture tion of the Islamic Culture and Communication Orga- in global civilization, the role of Persian language in nization, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, global civilization, the role of Iranian cultural geogra- Allameh Tabatabai University, University of , phy in global civilization, the role of religions as well Tarbiat Modares University, the Association of Persian as religions of Iranians in world civilization, the role of Language Teachers, and the Iranian-Islamic Identity Iranian celebrities in world civilization, the role of Ira- and Development Institute of Jarfa Center for Strategic nian art and architecture in world civilization, the role Cultural Studies, iranpress.com wrote. of Iranian scientists in world civilization and the role of To expand studies in various fields of Iranology and common ties between Iran and Islam in world civiliza- with the approach of introducing Iran and the civiliza- tion, IRNA wrote. tional manifestations of this land, Iranology Founda- President of the Iranology Foundation Ayatollah tion focuses on a series of virtual international confer- Seyyed Mohammad Khamenei delivered a speech dur- ences with the participation of domestic and foreign ing the virtual conference, emphasizing the need to in- Iranologists. troduce Iran to Iranians, especially the general public. Iranology is an interdisciplinary field dealing with IRNA The Iranology Foundation hosts an international virtual conference on Iran and global civilization on May 18, 2021, on the eve of the The conference was accompanied by the virtual the literature, art, history, and culture of the Iranian national Iranology Day (May 19). presence of prominent Iranologists from Iran and other people. It is part of a wider field called Oriental studies.

TRAVELERS’ STORY Khan Caravanserai to undergo restoration One of the best countries for UNESCO registration in the world The Safavid-era Caravanserai of Khan in the assessing such monuments that are scattered Mounesan, Iran stands at ninth rank, with 24 northwestern city of is planned to be across the country to make a shortlist in terms registered tangible cultural heritage sites, and restored for submission to the UNESCO for of their architecture, historical and cultural seventh, with 16 registered intangible cultural global registration, a provincial official said. values. heritage sites in UNESCO. Head of the West Azarbaijan Cultural Heri- The caravanserais are one of the most im- The minister spoke about Iran’s status in tage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department portant forms of Persian architecture that UNESCO on Tuesday on the occasion of the Jalil Jabbari said on Tuesday that it is one of emerged and created cause of routes devel- International Museum Day (May 18) and the the three caravanserais in the northwestern opment and needs related to the travel’s de- beginning of Cultural Heritage Week in Tehran. province being considered to be added to the mands and requirements. West Azarbaijan embraces a variety of lush shortlist of historical Iranian caravanserais The ancient Iranian people tried to make natural sceneries, cultural heritage sites, and prepared for a possible inscription on the the roads across the country safe for trade museums including the UNESCO sites of UNESCO World Heritage List, CHTN re- and delivering letters or news. This was only Takht-e Soleyman, Monastery of Saint Thad- ported. fulfilled by building a special type of inns for deus or Qara Kelisa (literally means black The dossier of Shah Abbasi Caravanserai, travelers called caravanserai. On the roads, church), Teppe Hasanlu or Tappeh Hassanlu, located in the district of Qotur in Khoy, has caravanserais were built on a distance that a and the ruined Bastam Citadel. also been prepared for submission to UNES- caravan could travel in a day. Also, caravan- The region has been the seat of several an- CO for global registration. serais were built inside cities too for travelers. cient civilizations. It formed part of Jabbari said last month that the historical Iran’s earliest caravanserais were built and later of Media. In the 4th century BC, it caravansaries of 24 provinces of the country during the Achaemenid Era (550 -330 BC). was conquered by and have been identified by the Cultural Heritage, Centuries later, when Shah Abbas I assumed was named Atropatene after one of Alexan- Tourism, and Handicrafts Ministry for global power from 1588 – to 1629, he ordered the der’s generals, Atropates, who established registration. construction of network caravanserais across a small kingdom there. The area returned to According to Jabbari, efforts are underway the country. the Persian (Iranian) rule under the Sassanids by the organization to include the Oil Com- The former Silk Roads may be the most fa- in the 3rd century CE. The Arabs controlled pany Caravanserai of in the list as well. mous example dotted by caravanserais. Azerbaijan from the 7th century until Turkish In 2019, Iran’s Ministry of the Cultural For many travelers to Iran, staying in or nomads overran it in the 11th century. The re- Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts announced even visiting a centuries-old caravanserai, can gion was overrun by the Mongols in the 13th that the country is developing a dossier for a be a wide experience. They have an opportu- century, and, under the ruler Hulagu Khan, selection of its historical caravansaries for a nity to feel the past, a time travel back into a Azarbaijan became the center of a Mongol possible inscription on the UNESCO World forgotten age. Empire extending from Syria on the west to Heritage List. According to the Minister of Cultural Heri- the Oxus River (now the Amu Darya) on the In this regard, cultural heritage experts are tage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ali-Asghar east.

apochi.com An Apochi guest poses for a photo in Namak Lake or Salt Lake in the central province of Qom, Iran.

By Apochi guest

My wife and I traveled to Iran at the end of 2018 to celebrate my 58th birthday. We have been to Shiraz, , and Isfahan. I have been to more than sixty countries and I can say that Iran is one of the best. First and foremost we were impressed by the friendliness of the local people. It was not the sort of friendliness tourists come across in many places with just the idea to get some money from them. It was absolutely sincere. I am keen on ancient history and it was a fantastic experience to see Persepolis [the ceremonial capital of the Achaeme-

AZAR SHOKRZADEH nid Empire (c. 550–330 BC)] and other historical places I had read about. The food was excellent nearly everywhere. ZOOM VIEWER Very low prices for almost everything except for the famous carpets. With the help

kojaro.com of our wonderful guide, Mohammad the trip turned into one of the most remarkable journeys of our life. If someday we will have a chance to visit Iran again we will take it for sure. Our best wishes to the Iranian people.

Khan Caravanserai in Khoy, in the northwestern province of West Azarbaijan, Iran Source: apochi.com