Art And Culture
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Italy Ready to Promote Persian Language in Varsities

Italy Ready to Promote  Persian Language in Varsities
Italy Ready to Promote  Persian Language in Varsities

Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati said despite some political tensions between Italy and Iran in the past, relations between the two countries have remained strong and the “two influential and glorious civilizations must do all they can to strengthen their cultural ties.”

Jannati made the remarks in Italy where he is heading a high-ranking delegation on a three-day official visit, the ministry’s Public Relations Department reported.

Rome was for decades one of Tehran’s biggest commercial partner with a trade volume exchange of over 7 billion euros in 2006. However, with Italy supporting the UN Security Council’s economic sanctions against Iran, it slumped to 1.2 billion euros by 2013.

The visit is seen as beneficial to both sides, strengthening their scientific and cultural cooperation through the signing of a series of bilateral agreements.

On Friday, Jannati met with the Italian Education Minister Stefania Giannini in Rome. During the meeting, the two sides explored avenues for bolstering and reinvigorating bilateral ties, particularly in cultural and educational areas.

Jannati referred to Italy’s experiences in historical excavations and called on the Italian side to pave the way for admission of Iranian students in Italian universities to study archeology and other human sciences.

Pointing to the five Persian language seats which are active in Italian academia currently, Giannini, on her part, welcomed expansion of mutual cooperation with Iran, and said, “Rome is ready to promote teaching of Persian language in Italian universities and student exchange programs.”

  Interreligious Dialogue

Jannati also met with President of the Pontifical Council for Culture Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi in Vatican the same day. During the meeting the two sides discussed joint cooperation on exchange of professors and cultural delegations, review of manuscripts and exchange of movies with religious themes as well as strengthening of interreligious dialogue between Iran and the Vatican to settle international crises.

The Iranian delegation also appreciated the stance of the Catholic religious leader Pope Francis against violence and war mongering.

In February, during her visit, Iranian Vice-President for Women and Family Affairs Shahindokht Molaverdi and President of Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Family Vincenzo Paglia had called for the enhancement of mutual cooperation on family affairs.

Jannati also held separate talks with Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni and Parliament Speaker Laura Boldrini. He inked a memorandum of understanding with Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism Dario Franceschini on cultural cooperation between the two sides for three years.

On Saturday, Jannati attended the opening ceremony of Iran’s Movie Week in Rome. It’s part of the broader Iran Cultural Month which features exhibitions of miniature, calligraphy, painting, pottery, photos and seminars on Iranian literature.

 

Financialtribune.com