Malekzadeh: World Nations Share Iranˈs World Heritage Sites

Tehran, July 8, IRNA -- Head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization Mohammad-Sharif Malekzadeh said here Sunday when a monument is registered as a world heritage world nations share it, and this Iran shares its cultural heritage with world nations. Malekzadeh made the comment at a ceremony marking the registration of Tehran’s Qajar-era Golestan Palace as a UNESCO world heritage site Sunday night, emphasizing, “The Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization well understands its responsibility to safeguard this precious cultural heritage for the present and future generations.” He considered Iranˈs success in registration of its cultural heritage site as UNSECO world heritage as a blessing of God, saying, “The Islamic Republic’s culture belongs to the entire world nations.” The vice president said, “This process leads to introduction of the Iranian culture to the world nations.” Malekzadeh considered the success of his organization today a result of its past technicians and managers, appreciating the efforts made by the former head of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie, the current head of the Secretariat of Non-Aligned Movement. Golestan Palace located in Tehran was enlisted as world heritage in UNESCO’s list of international cultural heritage at the 37th annual meeting of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in late June and is the 16th Iranian monument registered in that internationally renowned list. President Ahmadinejad, head of the Cultural and Tourism Organization Mohammad Sharif Malekzadeh and other senior Iranian officials were present at the special ceremony. Iran has 16 registered national cultural heritage works at UNESCO, including Chaoghazanbil, Persepolis, Pasargad, Takht-e Soleiman, Bam and its cultural ambiance, Soltaniyeh dome, Bisotoun inscription, Shoushtar aquatic structures, Armenians churches, Tabriz historical bazaar, Sheikh Safieddiny Ardebili dome, Naqsh-e Jahan square, Isfahan grand mosque, Gonbad-e Kavous tower, Persian gardens complex and Golestan palace. Golestan Palace is a historical monument in Tehran dating back to Qajar era, comprised of various parts such as the marble throne, Karim Khan’s Cozy Corner, Salam Hall, the Mirror Hall, the Dining Hall, the Marble Hall, the Imperial Bedrooms Building, the Shams ol-Emareh Palace, the Windy Building, the Diamond Hall, the Abyaz Palace and Chador Khaneh./end