RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan had a meeting with Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Seyed Reza Amiri in Tehran today within the framework of her official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

ESCS Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan and other members of the Armenian delegation also participated in the meeting.

Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Seyed Reza Amiri welcomed the RA ESCS Minister, highly commending the steps taken to strengthen cultural ties between Armenia and Iran. The Minister specifically mentioned the concert dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra in Persepolis as a special, historically significant event that received a wide response among the Iranian public. He added that the concert was broadcast live on Iranian public television and had thousands of viewers.

“This concert can be a significant start for the restoration and strengthening of cultural ties. Our archaeologists have also noted that such large-scale events are rarely organized in the Persepolis complex, so this step was important and unique, clearly demonstrating the historical and cultural ties between the two peoples,” Seyed Reza Amiri underlined.

Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, Minister Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized the importance of the friendly and historical ties formed between the two countries, emphasizing the great potential for the advancement of relations. She also highly commended the recent visit of the Iranian President to Armenia, which, according to the Minister, has further enriched the agenda of the strategic partnership between the two countries with new layers.

“I am glad that one of the key components of this cooperation is culture, in which several joint documents have already been signed. Yesterday's concert is a vivid example of active intercultural collaboration. I am very impressed by the exceptional historical and cultural values ​​of both Shiraz and the Persepolis complex, in which the presence of the Armenian community is also evident. Such events contribute to the popularization of monuments, while maintaining the necessary caution and safety rules,” noted Minister Zhanna Andreasyan and expressed gratitude for the support provided in organizing the concert.

During the meeting, the parties also touched upon the vital role of the Armenian community in Iran, particularly emphasizing the productive work carried out by the Armenian Embassy in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The sides highlighted the opportunities for expanding cooperation between the two countries in the fields of museums, silversmithing, handicrafts, as well as the restoration and preservation of monuments, emphasizing the need for experience exchange programs in these areas.

The issue of submitting joint applications for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List was also considered.

Touching upon the advancement of cooperation in the field of handicrafts, Zhanna Andreasyan suggested organizing a joint exhibition of Hovhannes Sharambeyan Museum of Folk Crafts and the National Museum of Iran. She also invited the Iranian side to participate in the annual “International Crafts Festival” organized by the RA ESCS Ministry, at the same time highlighting the importance of ensuring the participation of Armenian craftsmen in similar festivals held in Iran.

The potential for collaboration in the tourism sector was another topic of discussion between the parties. Minister Zhanna Andreasyan underlined the significant role of museum exhibitions in promoting tourism and suggested that special attention be paid to Armenia's historical presence in Iran during the exhibitions planned in Yerevan. The Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts noted that Armenia is one of Iran's priority tourism destinations.

Zhanna Andreasyan invited her Iranian counterpart to participate in the “Cultural Crossroads” international conference scheduled in Yerevan on November 26-28, dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

During the meeting, other issues of mutual interest were also addressed, and avenues for cooperation were outlined, expressing bilateral commitment to take active steps towards strengthening ties and implementing new initiatives.