Art, Culture Most Universal Iranian Elements: Minister

Speaking in his induction ceremony on Saturday, Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi weighed in on the status of the Iranian culture and art in the world.
“The Iranian art can make Iran more brilliant. None of our products is more universal than [our] culture and art. [For example] considerable investment has been made in Iran’s car industry for several decades, but how famous are we for this (cars)?”
“Today, we are known in the world for our cinema, our Oscars, our tableaus and our music; the Iranian art is dynamic. If we want guaranteed security and politics, we shouldn’t base them on oil and natural gas only; of course, these are important, but we shouldn’t take culture for granted,” he said.
“We have something to say in all domains, and this is a social reality. Today, culture and art have added value, and this added value can be exchanged on the world stage.”
“If physicians treat physical ailments, those involved in cultural and artistic activities are doctors for the spirit and soul,” he said, according to a Farsi report by Khabar Online.
He said Iran’s name should not be known with “Iranophobia,” adding a strong culture is a prelude to a strong economy and politics.