Free Visits to Malek Museum During 10-Day Fajr Festivities

Malek National Library Museum in Tehran will admit visitors free of charge during the 10-Day Dawn (Fajr) Festivities that marks the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

One of the biggest libraries of precious manuscripts in Iran, Malek Museum will not charge visitors from January 31 till February 10, Mehr News Agency reported.

The museum is affiliated to Astan Quds Razavi charity foundation, based in the holy city of Mashhad, capital of Khorasan Razavi Province. It currently contains around 19,000 manuscripts, 70,000 books as well as other historical items such as 3,000 coins, stamps, carpets and paintings.

There are some ancient coins among the showcased items which date back to the Pre-Achaemenid era (before 550 BC). The possessions of the museum are from a wide timeline illustrated on its website malekmuseum.org/en. They start with the Median period (728 BC) and end with the Pahlavi dynasty (1925-1979.

Manuscripts, calligraphies, coins and medals, stamps, paintings, miniatures, lacquer art, carpets, glasswork, woodwork, pottery, documents and decrees, photos, maps, journals and publications are in the museum’s treasury.

Among the most precious items are 13 paintings by the famous Iranian painter Muhammad Ghaffari, better known as Kamal-ol-Molk (1848-1940) of Kashan, and a manuscript collection with the finest Persian calligraphy. 

The museum has a ‘Single-Work Hall’ where one item from its rarely shown treasury is featured in each season. The work is presented along with descriptions and video-clips. 

  Haj Hossein Aqa

Another interesting section of the museum is the Haj Hossein Aqa Permanent Exhibition. Haj Hossein Aqa Malek (1871-1972) was the founder and donor of Malek National Library Museum. In 1908, he founded a big library comprising both old manuscripts and printed books in Mashhad. Later, he moved the library to his historical house located near Tehran Grand Bazaar and provided free of charge access to interested scholars. 

While collecting the manuscripts, Haj Malek bought a valuable collection of historical artworks that led to the establishment of the first private museum in the history of Iran. In 1937, he donated the library and museum to Astan Quds Razavi, the administrative body that manages the shrine in Mashhad of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shia Imam and all the institutions that belong to the organization.

Haj Hossein Aqa Permanent Exhibition is distinct from other parts of the museum both in content and function. The exhibit features Haj Malek’s works, handwritings, pictures and other personal belongings. It seeks to familiarize visitors with the culturally influential figure.

Malek National Library Museum is located near Imam Khomeini Square. It is open to the public on all days except Fridays and national holidays from 8:30 am-4:15 pm.