Charity Exhibition for Child Labor

Safavi House in Isfahan is holding a charity exhibition at its gallery from August 29.

Dubbed “The White Shadow,” the exhibit is organized under the auspices of Nourtaj Charity Group in collaboration with Sarmad Charity Institute with the objective of opposing child labor.

According to Amir Rajaei, the exhibit curator, the event has been supported by a group of artists in various fields, including photography, painting, calligraphy, ceramics and Persian miniature.

Proceeds of the show will be spent on improving the life of working children and the less privileged, Rajaei said.

Last year more than 2 million labor children were officially identified in Iran while unofficial estimates put the number at 7 million including immigrant children from Pakistan and Afghanistan, IRNA reported in February quoting Shahrbanoo Amani, a lawmaker.

Children working in farms and selling flowers in the streets, shining shoes, cleaning windscreens…are the more visible manifestations of child labor that many experts believe is very close to slave labor.

Located at Khaqani Street, Safavi House is a grand historical mansion, the construction of which dates back to the Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736). Isfahan was the capital of the dynasty for 138 years (1598-1736). Beside the gallery, the house has dedicated space to a bookstore, a handicraft shop and a café.

The charity exhibit will run through September 5.