Iran, Tunisia to expand cultural relations

TEHRAN,May 30(MNA) -- Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Hosseini and Tunisian Ambassador Mohammad al-Hasayeri discussed expansion of art and cultural relations during a meeting in Tehran on Monday. Hosseini pointed to the cultural commonalities and the historical cultural relations between the two countries. He also talked about the wave of Islamic Awakening rolling across Tunisia and expressed hope that it will end to the benefit of Muslim nations in the region. Hosseini also expressed his gratitude to the ambassador for his country’s policy in supporting the oppressed people of Palestine. Referring to the various Iranian cultural programs and festivals held every year in the country, he asked the Tunisian people and artists to attend and participate actively in the Iranian programs. “Iran has so far been holding its cultural activities inside the embassy in Tunisia but we hope to establish a cultural office there to expand cultural activities in the country,” Hosseini said. Ambassador al-Hasayeri praised Iran’s cultural activities and described the bilateral cultural relations as satisfactory. He asked the Iranian minister to provide his country with its experiences in different art and cultural fields. He said that he wants the people of his country to become more familiar with the realities in Iran leading to increased development in cultural relations. Translation of books, Iranian films and TV series into the Tunisian language will help introduce Persian culture to the people of Tunisia, he added. He also remarked that the culture minister of his country is due to travel to Iran in the near future and that Tunisia’s cultural week would be arranged in Tehran during his stay. Iranian film week is currently underway in Qafsah, in which 18 Iranian films will go on screen. Ali Hatami’s “Delshodegan” was the opening film on Monday and the closing movie will be “The Address” by Fereidun Hassanpur.