By IRNA,
Hamedan : UNESCO representative in Tehran and that organization’s expert in cultural affairs Junko Taniguchi said here Wednesday handicrafts are one way for presenting a land’s culture to alien nations, and Iran has a very rich culture in this respect.
The UN agency official made the comment in an interview with IRNA on Wednesday night on the sidelines of an International Handicrafts Exhibition in which selected works of Iranian and five other Asian countries that have received the “Genuine Art Seal” of the UNESCO.
Taniguchi added, “It is very difficult to define Iran’s culture and its status within the global culture, but I can say for sure that the US and European culture, also know and the Western culture, are but a part of the global culture and UNESCO’s efforts are aimed at introducing other rich cultures, such as Iran’s, to the entire world nations.”
The UNESCO official said, “Keeping in mind the developments observed in Iranian arts and culture within the past three decades, introduction of this culture more effectively and more precisely to the world nations seems to be a necessity today.”
He reiterated, “This culture is in need of proper introduction to the world nations in the name of the Iranian nation so that it would automatically achieve its exalted deserved present day global status.”
Elaborating on UNESCO’s criterion for approving of an artifact as the receiver of a “Genuine Art Seal”, Taniguch said, “This seal was initiated in the year 2001 in a bid to preserve the genuineness of those Asian arts that were feared to be on the verge of extinction.” He said, “Iran’s participation in the project and efforts aimed at receiving this seal began last year and UNESCO is very pleased with the Iranian government and Cultural Heritage Organization’s voluntary efforts in that respect and the Iranian hospitality in hosting the 2008 ceremony for the seals’ donation purpose.”
Representative of UNESCO in cultural affairs focusing on prerequisites for nomination of an artifact for receiving the UNESCO Genuine Art Seal, said, “The artifact, or monument that is nominated for receiving the seal needs to be both environment friendly and to be at the service of the society.”
He reiterated, “850 works have been nominated for receiving the seal since 2001, out of which 144 have so far received it.” Tniguchi added, “70 works from southeast Asia, 167 from south Asia, 118 from central Asia, and 225 works from east Asia had been nominated for receiving the seal, of which 15, 40, 29, and 60 succeeded to gain it.”
The UNESCO official said, “Iran had nominated 157 works for the seal, of which 45 have received it, that is the highest record thus far among entire Asian countries, since it is the first time that a single country has managed to receive so many UNESCO Genuine Art Seals.”
Congratulating the Iranian nation on the occasion, he said, “This will definitely have a very positive effect on altering the mentality of the world nations about the Iranian arts and culture in near future.”
He also praised the excellent hosting of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization at this year’s UNESCO seal donation ceremony, arguing, “The Generosity and hospitality of the Iranians, that have also been the pioneers of dialogue among civilizations and cultures is truly praiseworthy.”