A historic mansion in Tehran dating back over a century from the Qajar era is being restored and converted into a book cafe.
The house belonged to Mahin-ol-Molk, the son-in-law of Mozaffar ad-Din Shah, who was the fifth Qajar king reigning from 1896 until his death in 1907.
Head of Tehran Municipality's office for Historical Texture and Monuments, Ali Mohammad Saadati, dismissed media reports describing the project as government-run, stressing it was funded privately without any financial assistance from the municipality or other state organizations.
"Contrary to media reports, all the work related to the house has been done by a private individual and the municipality and the Endowment and Charity Affairs Organization lent no financial support," Saadati said in an interview with ILNA, published on Monday.
Private Enterprise
Behzad Yaqubi, head of the Parsian Ancient Inheritance Institute, the owner of the project, confirmed Saadati's remarks, saying, "The entire project has been sponsored privately… We have leased the property from the ECAO."
He added the institute is ready to inaugurate the "Dar-ol-Khelafeh Book Cafe" within days.
Saadati called on other state bodies with means and related mandate to join the Tehran Municipality in backing any such future efforts to revive historical buildings, a drive which amounts to preserving the Iranian cultural identity.
"Tehran Municipality will support the owners of ancient buildings who want to renovate and preserve their property. Our financial support comes in the form of a discount on charges, as well as facilities to aid the repurposing and use of the buildings and even help publicize the repurposed buildings," the official said.
"The Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and the banking system can be of great assistance," he noted.
Asked whether any loan program is currently offered by the municipality to bankroll the private restoration projects, Saadati said, "No loans are yet being allocated for the renovation of historic buildings. But such loans can prove an effective facilitator."
He underscored the importance of privatizing the preservation of historical monuments and cautioned against a direct government intervention.
"Such buildings cannot be protected unless we allow the people to get involved and lend support. It would not help if the government takes over the process and it may even further put off the public."
