The event, which will run through February 18 at Tehran’s Goftogu Park, is attended by participants from Afghanistan, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Turkey, Italy, Romania, Bangladesh, India, Kazakhstan and South Korea.
Mohammad Ali Kiani, Secretary of the International Section of the Festival, says this event is certainly an important step towards recognising Iran’s artistic talents and can play an important role in cultural interactions.
As in previous years, this edition of the festival is being held in two competitive and non-competitive segments. The organizers have selected the best works from among 7,734 entries. These works are showcased during the festival and finally they will be judged by the jury.
In the non-competitive part, this year’s festival also features institutions, and clothing brands in the form of booths that showcase their latest achievements and products in the field of fashion and clothing.
Workshops, meetings as well as expert panels and expert talks on the country’s fashion and clothing are among other parts of the festival planned by the organizers.
There are various other programs during this edition, including a live contest called “From Idea to Implementation”, which registered about 330 participants in different parts.
Here, you can see images of the festival published by Honar Online:
In a statement on Monday, Seyyed Abbas Mousavi said the Iranian citizen, Ahmad Khalili, had been detained in Germany on the pretext of breaching the illegal and cruel sanctions of the US and upon the request of the regime’s prosecutor, and was on verge of extradition.
According to Mousavi, the Iranian inmate was released on Sunday night following a series of intensive diplomatic efforts and thanks to the effective cooperation of the Iranian Judiciary and the IRGC Intelligence Organization.
“He has returned to Iran along with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif,” Mousavi added.
“One and a half years since the US pulled out of JCPOA, today we have come together to prize our top entrepreneurs, whereas the statistics predicted destruction of Iran’s economy in less than three months,” said Araqchi, addressing a ceremony on Sunday.
He said “we had to resist the pressures to prove Iran’s power to everyone. The enemy did not avoid any pressure and added new sanctions, but it was the entrepreneurs who created redoubled economic capability for the country.”
Araqchi added “we do not deny the existing defects and weaknesses, but … I testify that many countries were amazed by how we bore up under the pressure of the sanctions.”
Iranian officials emphasize that the sanctions imposed by the US President Donald Trump since 2018 when he pulled out his country from JCPOA not only have failed to bring Iran’s economy to its knees, but also have led to many innovations and inventions by Iranian scientists and entrepreneurs.
Speaking in a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Hammoudeh Sabbagh, Larijani said the Arab country has now entered the era of reconstruction and improvement of economic conditions, and can count on Iran’s assistance in this regard.
The top Syrian lawmaker, in turn, praised Tehran for all the support it provided for Damascus in its fight against terrorism.
Earlier on Sunday, Larijani also met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In the meeting, the two sides discussed the latest regional developments as well as the Syrian army’s offensive to retake all parts of its north-west.
They also underlined the need for regional cooperation within the framework of fight against Takfiri groups sponsored by foreign parties, and to eradicate them from Syria.
Larijani, who arrived in Syria on Sunday, was welcomed by Sabbagh at Damascus Airport.
Speaking upon his arrival, Larijani said that Iran always has “consultations on important issues with Syrian friends,” describing Syria as “a friendly and brotherly country and an important axis of resistance.”
Sabbagh for his part expressed Syrian government’s gratitude for Iran’s “full support,” adding that “Iran and Syria are standing up to and fighting against a joint enemy and we are sure that we will put this critical stage behind us through our collaboration.”
Observers believe Larijani’s visit is in line with Iran’s expression of support for the Syrian army’s recent advances in the Syrian province of Idlib.
Following the visit to Syria, Larijani departed for the Lebanese capital of Beirut to meet with the country’s high-ranking officials.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Sunday.
The two sides also discussed bilateral ties, including security, counterterrorism, and issues related to the martyrdom of Lieutenant General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, as well as Iran’s response to the US terrorist act.
1- Iran’s Resistance Against US Astonishing for Int’l Observers: Leader
2- Zarif’s Diplomacy Continues in germany During Three-day Munich Security Conference
Abrar Newspaper:
1- London not Agreed with US Policy of Maximum Pressure on Iran: UK Official
2- Zarif: I am the Same FM Who Treated Kerry Respectfully
Afkar Newspaper:
1- Rear Admiral Sayari: Iran’s Military Power Has Been Booming
Aftab-e Yazd Newspaper:
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Ebtekar Newspaper:
1- The Great Coalition of Reformists
Etemad Newspaper:
1- Surprised by Iran’s Resistance against Wild US
2- Tehran-Riyadh’s Duel in Munich
3- Concerns over Collapse of Western Alliance
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Ettela’at Newspaper:
1- The US Has Creates Most Tensions in Region: FM Zarif
2- Washington Offers Baghdad to Withdraw Part of US Troops from Iraq
3- We Don’t Have Second Gender, Men and Women Are Equal
Javan Newspaper:
1- Munich against US
Jomhouri Eslami:
1- We Ready to Negotiate with all Neighbors for Regional Security: Zarif
Kayhan Newspaper:
1- Break in Western Block
2- Era of US Being World Police is Over: Berlin
3- End of US Presence in Region Has Begun: Zarif
Khorasan Newspaper:
1- Zarif’s Hot Debate in Munich
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Setareh Sobh Newspaper:
1- Fm Zarif’s Consultations on Sidelines of Munich Security Conference
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2- German President Warns of Global Insecurity
Shargh Newspaper:
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2- Iran, US at JCPOA’s Scene / Editorial
“The ultimate goal of the United States is to put the government in a state of weakness, with the greatest pressure, while the people are despaired.
They want to take a weak government to the negotiating table, but it is impossible,” Rouhani noted Sunday.
“We have talked with authority and dignity to the world, but a weak Iran will never go to the table,” the president said.
Rouhani made the comments during his 14th press conference since 2013, attended by 200 journalists from 20 countries.
He went on to say that if different sectors of the country during the past six and a half years are compared with the years before his administration, one can see despite sanctions and pressures, we have experienced oil-free economy for the first time in the history of Iran during the past two years.
In response to a question regarding the high possibility of Donald Trump’s election in 2020, Iranian president said it doesn’t matter to us which party in America is ruling.
“What is important to us is that the US officials and the White House change their minds and choose what is in the interest of the American people and the nations of the region. No matter what person or party it is. I have no opinion about any particular party or person. What is important is that there should be someone in the White House that follows the right path,” underlined Rouhani.
Further, he mentioned that the United States must forget about unilateralism and stop introducing itself as the world leader. “If they respect other nations and the rule of law, we can overcome these problems,” he said.
Reiterating that it doesn’t matter to Iran what party in America is in power, he added “what matters to us is the national interests of our country.”
He pointed out that some in the US believed pressure could force Iran to do what they want, while others believed that Iran is very strong and they should reach a deal with the country.
“The previous US government believed in this policy and we reached an agreement. During the implementation of this agreement, the other group came to power and they believed that the solution is to impose their demands on Iran.”
Rouhani said their prediction was that Iran’s resistance would last no more than three or four months, and when Iran surrendered, it would accept their proposed package.
“Today, 20 months have passed since then, so the maximum pressure has failed; our situation in the region is better; we have good unity within the country.”
“They wanted the people to come to the conclusion that without agreement with the United States we cannot endure, but it became ineffective with the Iranian people’s resistance,” stated Rouhani.
He also noted that if the United States returns to the nuclear deal and stops its sanctions, it can enter negotiations in the form of P5+1 group of countries.
Rouhani’s presser came as Iran is gearing up for the 11th parliamentary elections slated for February 21.
The president finally urged Iranians to take part in the elections en masse to “disappoint the enemy.”
Aba (a type of robe) is a long, open front cover that Iranian clerics wear. It has no sleeves, but there are holes in it that hold the hands out.
According to officials, the fabric used in weaving Aba in the Bahiri was first produced in gray at the village’s workshops. Among the 450 works by the country’s artists at the Fourth Fajr Crafts Festival, this fabric was selected as the best work.
Aba-weaving art has a 500-year history in Dashti County and has recently been nationalised. The Aba produced in Dashti is made of camel’s wool in black, white, brown, beige and gold colours, with a length of 6.5 metres and a width of 85 and 150 centimetres.
To weave “Aba”, the hair inside the wool is first cut and turned into large coils. It is then transformed into small spindles by special machines, which are housed in small metal containers and then are woven on carpet body.
Aba-weaving is one of the Arab handicrafts that is considered as a traditional art in Iran and has been found in different cities of the country.
Aba is considered a traditional cover in Iran, especially in the southern and central regions. But Aba-weaving using camel wool is a remarkable industry and art in several Iranian cities. Bushehr, Naein, Behbahan and Mashhad are among these cities.
There are now eight Aba-weaving workshops in Bahiri village and elsewhere in the city, and a large number of rural youth are attracted to this industry.
Aba-weaving masters in Bushehr use personal and traditional ways of weaving camel wool. Most of the Abas produced in Dashti are exported to the Najaf city of Iraq and the Persian Gulf states at a very good price.
This year, at the closing ceremony of the Fajr Crafts Festival, the National Work Badge was awarded to this unique Iranian work of art by the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts.
The works by artists from the Bahiri village were publicly displayed at the National Museum of Tehran among the country’s exquisite handicrafts.
The fourth edition of Handicrafts and Traditional Arts Festival was held from February 2 to 10.
According to officials of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ministry, this year 400 works from all 31 provinces have been submitted to the secretariat of the festival, and according to the jury, 250 works have been publicly displayed. The works selected for the show have metrics of quality, creativity and innovation.
In a Sunday meeting in the German city of Munich, the two officials also discussed concerns about the renewed activities of ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The two sides further discussed the issues of Iraq and Syria as well as security and fight against terrorism.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference (MSC).
Zarif discussed the JCPOA in separate meetings with his Italian, Slovenian, and Polish counterparts.
The meetings were held on Sunday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
Zarif and his Italian counterpart conferred on Europe’s commitments under the JCPOA, and ways to maintain the 2015 nuclear deal. They also discussed issues related to bilateral ties in political, economic, and cultural fields.
The Iranian top diplomat also conferred with his opposite number from Poland on various issues including the JCPOA, Europe’s commitments under the deal, Iran’s measures within this framework, and also the security of the region.
Also in a meeting with Slovenia’s foreign minister, Zarif and the European diplomat explored avenues for expanding mutual cooperation between Tehran and Ljubljana. They also exchanged views on the JCPOA developments and issues related to regional security.
