Scientists discuss in Iran the Asian cultural diversity and heritage
Iran has hosted the First Conference of Asian Cultural Dialogues. It was started in Tehran on Sunday, 14 January, and discussion panels continued in three other cities of Mashhad, Hamedan and Babolsar on Monday, reported Iranian media.
The conference brought together 70 representatives of cultural and scientific circles from over 20 Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Nakhichevan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Georgia and Uzbekistan.
The purpose of the forum is promoting cultural, historical cohesion, preserving cultural diversity and enhancement of cultural interaction between nations of Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Indian subcontinent.
“In cultural dialogues, finding similarities and overlaps becomes the high priority and if cultural interaction is built upon dialogue, it leads to mutual understanding between societies,” said Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance of IRI Seyyed Abbas Salehi, inaugurating the conference.
Chairman of Iran’s Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, Abouzar Ebrahimi-Torkaman addressing the audience, said that culture is an essential element for coordination and rapprochement, adding that Asian continent can turn the variety of cultures into an opportunity for convergence and cooperation among the nations.
The event was organized by the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization jointly with the University of Tehran, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, University of Mazandaran, Cultural Institute of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue.
Based on the outcomes of the forum, it is planned to publish a collection of scientific articles on several thematic areas touching upon literary, linguistic, historical, architectural, social aspects of the interrelationships among Asian civilizations.
