Following a meeting between the Afghan ambassador to Tehran, Nasir Ahmad Nour, and the cultural heritage deputy of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO), Mohammad Hassan Talebiyan, both sides agreed on forming a cultural fund for the Persian-speaking countries of the region.
The fund aims at raising awareness on tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Persian-speaking countries and ensuring their preservation, according to CHTN.
Talebiyan asserted cultural issues are not confined to borders, and countries of the region with cultural similarities will benefit by working collaboratively. “Preparing joint applications for inscription on UNESCO lists of cultural heritage is a stepping stone for countries of the region to get closer and united. Iran and Afghanistan can present a joint file on historical mosques or mausoleums,” he noted.
Taking into account the successful experience in inscribing intangible heritage elements on the UNESCO list, Iran is ready to share its experience with Afghanistan and collaborate with Afghan authorities in renovation and safeguarding of the heritage, he stated.
The Afghan diplomat emphasized on the common grounds between two countries and pointed to several internationally celebrated figures who lived their lives in both countries as examples. He voiced his country’s interest in expanding relations with Iran in cultural heritage area.
There are approximately 110 million Persian speakers worldwide, with the language holding official status in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. For centuries, Persian has also been a prestigious cultural language in other regions of Western Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia by the various empires based in the regions.
