Minister: Cultural diplomacy to be strengthened through cultural weeks
Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Abbas Salehi, said that cultural weeks and similar events represent a renewed effort to strengthen cultural diplomacy and foster meaningful connections among artists, intellectuals, and scholars across nations.
During a meeting with Iranian expatriates in Qatar, Salehi emphasized the importance of these initiatives for enhancing cultural ties, IRNA reported.
He added that the Qatar Cultural Week, running from February 26 to 28, serves as a key opportunity for activating various cultural capacities.
He pointed out that growth in cultural, media, and economic sectors requires innovation, creativity, and active participation from the youth, which can play a crucial role in advancing the cultural economy.
Salehi outlined his discussions around three main areas: Cultural diplomacy, cultural economy, and the role of Iranians abroad.
He underscored the cultural week in Qatar as a significant opportunity to showcase Iran’s rich heritage and artistic spirit to the world.
He called for a concerted effort to present the country’s valuable capacities while stressing the necessity of preserving national identity for all Iranians.
The minister also highlighted the importance of international communications, particularly with neighboring countries, expressing optimism that enhanced collaboration in cultural, artistic, and media diplomacy could effectively portray Iran’s true image on the global stage.
In a bid to deepen cultural ties, Salehi proposed the formation of a joint working group, comprising representatives from the Iranian embassy, cultural centers, and Qatar’s Ministry of Culture, to streamline cooperation in literary and artistic sectors.
During the visit, Salehi met with Qatar’s Culture Minister to discuss expanding cultural exchanges between the two nations.
They both acknowledged the shared deep cultural ties and recognized the friendly relations as a valuable opportunity for collaboration.
The discussions also touched on the importance of social media in cultural interactions, with proposals to strengthen online engagement between Iranian and Qatari users during significant cultural events, enhancing mutual cultural understanding.
Salehi reiterated the significance of the Persian language in cultural exchanges and proposed joint efforts in Persian language education as a valuable opportunity to boost interactions between the two countries.
He expressed Iran’s readiness to collaborate in areas that resonate with the people of Qatar or meet the needs of its government, indicating a willingness to deepen cultural and economic ties moving forward.