Tehran Times, Iran
April 26 2010
ICRO to hold joint literary festival of Iran and Armenia
Tehran Times Culture Desk
TEHRAN ` The Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO) Mehdi
Mostafavi announced that the organization is ready to hold a joint
literary festival of Iran and Armenia in a border city in September.
Mostafavi met with the Center for Armenian Writers Director Leon
Ananian here on Saturday and they discussed several issues.
He pointed to the good relationships between the two nations, saying,
`We make our best efforts to develop our cultural relations with other
countries.’
He also stressed that Tehran International Book Fair opening next week
can help boost cultural and literary activities in both countries,
adding, `The activities of the Center for Armenian Writers can
encourage our young writers toward increased mutual cooperation.’
Mostafavi also talked about the religious freedom of the Armenian
nationals in Iran and said, `Freedom in holding religious ceremonies
and their good relations with Iranians indicate that Armenian
nationals enjoy the freedom to pursue their specific interests within
Iran.’
Leon Ananian expressed his interest in visiting the country and said
that they are willing to increase the number of Armenian cultural
centers in Iran helping their nationals become more familiar with the
rich culture of Iran.
He expressed his gratitude to Iran’s cultural office in Armenia, and
said, `I visited a few cities in Iran and became acquainted with
several Iranian cultural dignitaries. I am planning to write a book on
Iranian cultural figures in the future.’