Rashid: We Saw the Echo of Tehran's Nightly Gatherings at Moscow's Bolshoi Hall

Iran's cultural attaché in Russia, referring to Moscow's welcome of Iran Cultural Week, said reflections of Tehran's nightly gatherings were also seen at Moscow's Bolshoi Hall, an event that points to a shift in global perception of Iran after the 40-day war.

Rashid: We saw the continuation of the nightly presence of the people of Tehran at the Bolshoi Hall in Moscow

The cultural week of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Russian Federation began on the second of Mehr 1405. This program included a series of artistic events with the presence of Iranian artists and was well received by the Russian people. It seems that this reception is related to the change of view of Iran in a new era; The period that started after the 40-day war, in which the people of different countries, including Russia, are trying to get to know Iran from a different perspective than in the past.

On this occasion, we had a conversation with Dr. Abdul Reza Rashid, the cultural advisor of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Moscow, at the place of cultural consultation; A conversation about the process of holding the cultural week and the view of the Russian people towards Iran. Rashid previously worked as the vice president of international affairs of the Islamic Culture and Communication Organization, the international vice president of the World Assembly of Ahlul Bayt (AS) and the cultural associate of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Istanbul.

Question: Dr. Rashid, we are happy to host you at the cultural consultation building of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Russia. Iranian cultural week was held in four Russian cities and now it has reached its final days. This event, especially in the field of culture, is one of the biggest overseas programs of Iran in the period after the 40-day war. In your opinion, how can this program provide a new ground for pursuing cultural activities abroad, beyond the official and diplomatic frameworks, and introduce a different face of Iran?

Rashid: In the name of Allah, the Merciful. Thank you and your colleagues for your presence. As you mentioned, after the 12-day war and in the current war situation, we at the Organization of Islamic Culture and Communications investigated how to present a decent picture of the current situation of Islamic Iran abroad. In conclusion, we reached four or five areas that can be a platform for the introduction of the Islamic Republic; including tourism, sports, books, cinema, Persian language and literature, as well as creative industries and handicrafts.

These surveys showed that all these areas have cultural roots and to present a correct picture of Iran, they should be looked at through the lens of culture. Today, in international relations, the evaluation and development of relations between two countries is not limited to political, economic and security issues. The stability of relations between countries should also be measured in terms of culture.

cultural week; A platform to strengthen links

We did not consider the cultural week as a mere ceremonial program

For this reason, we must pay more attention to culture; Because culture can leave a lasting image of a nation in the minds of other nations. Organization of Islamic Culture and Communication developed a road map based on this. We considered the cultural week not a formal and formal program, but an opportunity to create structure and flow in order to strengthen relations in various fields; Relationships that culture can underpin.

Question: How has the Iranian people's resistance affected the views of the Russian authorities and people? Iran has gone through two wars with large armies, including the American army and the Zionist regime, and it seems that the world's view of Iran and its people is changing. In Russia, you can get such a change from talking to people. How have you evaluated this transformation during the time you have held this responsibility?

Rashid: I can give the answer in two parts. First, at the government level and my official meetings with diplomats and cultural figures. In these meetings, different people praise the resistance and stability of the Iranian people and speak about it. Another part is related to the people, which we see reflected in the streets and the market. Wherever they realize that we are Iranians, they show their devotion and respect to the Iranian people in various ways.

The stability of the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran is a brave resistance that many people praise. We see this issue openly among people as well as in private and official meetings. My colleagues and even the cultural advisors of other countries have repeatedly said that the Islamic Republic, the people of Iran and the armed forces have shown strong internal solidarity; A consistency that others also admire. As diplomats, we are proud to live in a country where such a spirit exists among its people, political leaders and senior commanders, and they have stood up in the field.

Stability and resistance is an inseparable part of Iranian civilization and culture, which has been handed down to us from previous generations. After the Islamic revolution, religious identity along with national identity has deepened this bond.

Cooperation of institutions and artists in holding the event

The support of the Russian government in the implementation of the cultural week was impressive

Question: To hold this cultural week, a large group of artists, cultural activists, artisans and the national orchestra of Iran along with representatives from various branches of creative industries came to Russia. How was the company of Iran's cultural and artistic community with you? Some try to talk about the distance between the artists and the government, but a large number of artists were included in this program. This caravan was decorated with the name of Minab Martyrs 168. What feedback did you receive before the trip and what did the artists say after the event?

Rashid: Let me first mention the preparations for holding this program. The Russian cultural week was held in Iran from 20 to 25 June 1404 and continued on the same time as 23 June, the beginning of the 12-day war. My colleagues at the headquarters had done a proper planning and the Russian participants had good memories of that trip.

At that time, I was the international vice president of the organization. Despite the borders being closed during the war, Russian artists left Iran with exemplary management. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Organization of Islamic Culture and Communications and Mr. Imanipour and Mr. Salehi made a special effort to manage the situation and facilitate their departure. This pleasant experience remained in the mind of the participants.

I saw this very well in the meeting with the Deputy Minister of Culture of Russia, during the discussion about the time of holding the cultural week. He mentioned the good memories of his days in Tehran. Despite the war conditions, the Russian authorities cooperated extensively with us. We raised our demands and they accompanied us to realize them; The cooperation of the Russian government was really noteworthy.

In foreign programs, we have moved away from event-oriented

Necessary preparations were made inside the country and the Iranian cultural institutions present in Russia had a good coordination. We held four or five meetings of the Council of Cultural Cooperation and Synergy with the presence of the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and I, as a cultural consultant, was the secretary of the meetings. The goal was for different cultural institutions to participate in the program and the same thing happened. Parts of the Organization of Islamic Culture and Communication, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, which cooperated sincerely despite not being a member, the radio and television and other groups played a role in this work.

I think for the first time, a coherent cultural center was formed inside the country. This is an important achievement for the Organization of Islamic Culture and Communications; Because we have moved away from the purely event-oriented approach in overseas activities.

For years, we have been talking about the formation of such a camp and waiting for its realization. Now this idea has been implemented and the Organization of Islamic Culture and Communication plays the role of a cultural headquarters. The Ministry of Guidance, the field of art, cultural heritage, radio and television and other institutions were also involved. Our colleagues in the headquarters and the scientific and cultural deputy brought these collections together and a synergy was formed. Very prominent artists were also selected; In my opinion, it was rare for artists to come together at such a level and quality.

Culture acts as a soft power tool of the Islamic Republic

Among the calligraphers, there were prominent figures, and in the visual arts, there were well-known artists with us. They stood by the Islamic Republic of Iran. If they ask me what was the message of the presence of artists in the Minab 168 program, I will say that just as people are present in the street, the cultural community is also present in the square. Today's culture plays a role as a tool of soft power and shows that life is going on in Iran. People continue their daily lives and artists also play along with them; One with a pen and the other with his voice and art.

We saw the continuation of the street presence of people in Moscow museums and the Bolshoi Hall

The artists were very good company and it was a great lesson for all of us. We saw a manifestation of the same public presence in the streets and museums of Moscow, as well as in the Bolshoi Theater. From my point of view, there was no difference between the call of "Allah Akbar" in Tehran's Quds Square and the unified presence of people in Moscow. A positive thing happened that we should appreciate and take care of; This companionship was not a passing event, but a blessed one.

The idea of some people about Iran's political isolation and the division of artists into committed and non-committed artists turned out to be invalid. All the artists who are attached to Iran and the Islamic Republic came along. There was no margin either; Everyone who showed up shouted the name of Iran and held the flag of the country. This association is worthy of appreciation and gratitude to the artists of our country.

Question: This change of view definitely needs a cultural program for continuation and deepening. The praises should become a deeper knowledge of Iran and its people and this knowledge should be expanded in different ways. What plan do you have to pursue this goal? A book titled "Caring Father" about the martyred leader of the Revolution has been published, and earlier a novel in Russian about the martyr Soleimani was made available. Do you have programs in formats other than books?

Rashid: Russia is very important for the Islamic Republic of Iran. Considering Russian speakers all over the world, the population of this area reaches about 300 million people. Russia is a good neighbor and a strategic partner for us. After the war, a new space has emerged that we should take advantage of. This space did not exist before the war and the organization has also changed its direction. We have a new road map and our activities are no longer limited to single occasions and events; We have to stream.

Streamlining requires depth and serious planning and must be followed up in the field of action. Consultants who go to other countries should have a deep understanding of the culture, know the internal capacities of Iran and the country of their mission, and be able to create a bridge between the capabilities of the Islamic Republic and the capacities of that country.

In Russia, we must go beyond Moscow and travel to different cities to introduce the culture and civilization of Islamic Iran. Many people are ready to hear our words. When I was in Astrakhan, the movie theater did not have enough capacity and a number of fans were left out in the 400-seat theater. The reason for this welcome is our cultural connection. Some Russian cities, including Astrakhan, were among the first points of contact between Iranians and Russians from the Caspian Sea. This link can also be seen in the cities of the Caucasus and other regions.

We have to cross the limits and be present in different cities. Activities must be deep and thoughtful. In the field of books, we should not translate or compose any work; The work needs to be reviewed and studied. Also, it is not necessary to do all the authoring and translation steps by ourselves and we can entrust a part of the work to others. For example, the book "Caring Father" or "Kind Father" has collected 200 memories from the childhood of Imam Shahid to the years of struggle in 450 pages. We prepared this work in cooperation with Nakhel Sabz Publishing House and it was published by one of the leading Russian publishers. If we wanted to carry out all the steps ourselves from the beginning to the end, it would have cost more and the book would not have been released at the right time. This work was unveiled in Russia right after the martyrdom of Imam Shahid.

Every book we publish must be effective; Exhibitions should be effective, like the one you saw, and the music presented should also make an impact. Therefore, first we have to go from Moscow to other cities; Second, do deep things; And third, advance the programs with study and knowledge. Simultaneous implementation of these items can increase our effectiveness.

Narration of the Russian author about the writing of Shahid Soleimani's book

Question: Please also explain about the publication of Haj Qassem Soleimani's book. What was the copyright of the Russian author of this work?

Rashid: The story of Haj Qassem Soleimani's book is very interesting. "Oleg Roy", a well-known Russian writer and screenwriter, came to this consultation one day and had a conversation with Mr. Ahmadvand, the former cultural consultant. He said that he wanted to write a work about Sardar Soleimani, because the character of Haj Qasim had influenced him. After handing over the book, he asked to be given a date. When he took the dates, he said that the salary of writing the book for him is the same as one date.

He has spoken about this book many times in scientific meetings. About 20 days ago, a meeting was held at the book fair and he spoke about the book and expressed good views about the resistance of the Iranian people. Those present were also affected by his words.

We should pay more attention to effectiveness in our activities. We are now at a critical stage of cultural activity and it is necessary to make a deep and logical change in the work; The organization has also started this process. In the post-war period, which of course cannot really be called "post-war", we move towards camp activities and deeper and more effective works. Good opportunities are ahead of us. If we don't try today, we will suffer and neither our nation and people, nor our leader nor God will be pleased with this shortcoming.