Iranian city becomes ECO calligraphy capital

TEHRAN, May 15 (MNA) -- The Iranian city of Qazvin, birthplace of Mir-Emad was declared the capital of calligraphy for ECO member countries, ECO Cultural Institute (ECI) director Hojjatollah Ayyubi announced on Wednesday.

Qazvin is the birthplace of Mir-Emad who was the titan of the nastaliq script, a unique and ornate Iranian style of calligraphy.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the first international biennial of calligraphy on May 12 in Qazvin, Ayyubi said that a wide range of cultural activities are being carried out in ECO member countries, among which is promoting calligraphy.

“In Central Asia and the Caucasus, calligraphy is practiced seriously to assist in preserving the writing styles their ancestors possessed,” he added.

He continued saying that an office will be established in Qazvin to promote art and culture in ECO member countries and it will be a place where interested parties can visit and exchange views.

“The designation of Qazvin as the capital of calligraphy places a heavy burden on officials and the people of the city. Holding several workshops to promote the art of calligraphy in the country is also a necessity,” he remarked.

Ayyubi also announced that several exhibits would be set up in different cities of Tajikistan in which a selection from the artwork displayed at the first international biennial of calligraphy would be put on exhibit.

The biennial runs until June 8, and several workshops on calligraphy are also arranged on the side section of the program.