Photo contest focuses on inscriptions in traditional Iranian architecture

TEHRAN,July 29(MNA) -- The Center for Iranian Photographers has organized a competition on the theme of inscriptions installed on frontispieces and over the entrances of buildings in traditional Iranian architecture. People used to install clay and tile inscriptions of some holy Arabic words and the names of Prophet Muhammad (S) and his household on the frontispieces of their homes in the past, a jury member of the competition said in a press conference last week. “Due to their religious beliefs, they used to exit and enter glancing at and calling the names,” Dariush Mohammadkhani said. “This dynamism and beautiful belief are rarely seen at present as the inscriptions have been replaced with other elements,” he added. “Part of the history of traditional Iranian architecture has been forgotten following the elimination of the inscriptions,” he stated. The aim of the competition has been to find and to promote the last inscriptions remaining on buildings located in older districts of Iranian cities, the Center for Iranian Photographers previously announced. They also plan to show the role of inscriptions in beautifying buildings.