Iranian Calligraphers Association marks 75 years
Iranian Calligraphers Association celebrated its 75th anniversary on Saturday with a ceremony at Tehran's Art Bureau, honoring masters, emerging artists, and its nationwide branches.
Gholamhossein Amirkhani, chair of the Association’s Supreme Council, and Mirheydar Moosavi, managing director, joined senior officials from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Tehran municipal authorities, and members of the visual arts community, IRNA reported.
In a recorded message, Amirkhani highlighted the Association’s growth to “over 400 branches” inside and outside Iran and underscored its civil‑society role. “History means knowing the past so as not to repeat mistakes,” he said, urging members to read “between the lines” of history.
Mousavi traced the association’s origins to 1950, noting its official registration in 1967. From three initial branches, it has expanded to more than 360 nationwide.
He emphasized the association’s seven simultaneous national exams, which are evaluated through a centralized, democratic process, and its ongoing commitment to fostering justice and transparency in judging artistic work.
Awards were presented to Abolfazl Nazmparvar, Alireza Hasheminejad and Reza Yassavoli, with Nazmparvar’s posthumous honor received by his daughter. Certificates of mastery were conferred on Fatemeh Asgari Jazi, Firuz Amini, and Kobra Yadegari, among others.
Special recognition was given to the oldest examinee, Javad Yousof Kiaei, and to Mina Taghipour and Aref Gholami, who received multiple “superior” distinctions.
Representing the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Reza Zedvar highlighted calligraphy as a vital component of Iran’s cultural heritage and national identity.
Tehran City Council head Mehdi Chamran described Persian calligraphy as “a national identity through which Iran is recognized,” urging continued support for its transmission to younger generations.
The event concluded with the unveiling of Adab Khoshnevisi, a new calligraphy manual by Amirkhani, and the opening of ‘Iran-e Man,’ (My Iran) a national exhibition of 106 works spanning two galleries. Featured artists included Amirkhani, Keikhosro Koroush, Amir Ahmad Falsafi, and Ali Shirazi.