As reported by ISNA, Mohammadreza Kargar talked about the cultural, scientific and historical experiences and achievements of 7000 Years of Iranian Art. These exhibitions were originally held in Europe from 2000 to 2005. He said, “With the new government’s approach toward cultural diplomacy, Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) has given priority to the 7000 Years of Iranian Art exhibitions, with the goal of introducing the world to parts of Iran’s history and civilization.”
He added, “The first Iranian exhibition will be held in Germany with special meetings and seminars from late 2016 to early 2017.”
According to the ICHTO public relations centre, the 7000 Years of Iranian Art exhibition is comprised of 178 precious objects representing ancient Persian art, culture and civilization, covering the period up to the beginning of the Islamic era. They were first taken out of the country in the autumn of 2000.
The first exhibition was held in the same year at the Vienna Art History Museum (Kunsthistorisches Museum). The exhibition was extended for 20 days beyond its scheduled dates due to popular interest and high attendance.
The success of 7000 Years of Iranian Art in Austria led to other countries clamouring to host it in their own countries as well. The objects were subsequently exhibited at the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bonn, and after that at Saint Peter’s Abbey Art Hall in Ghent, Belgium.
Basel Museum in Switzerland later hosted this exhibition for 5 months, before it was displayed to the public in the three Spanish cities of Seville, Zaragoza and Santiago. In September 2004, the exhibition travelled to Croatia. At this stage, the objects were supposed to be returned to Iran, but after a Portuguese request to host the exhibition, they were moved there and displayed for two months. The artifacts were finally returned to Iran in May 2005.
