The Brunei Galley is currently showing some of Dr Cyrus Alai’s unique map collection. It’s a graphical journey through the historical representations and culture of Persia. At the opening of the FREE exhibition, Cyrus’ outstanding contribution to scholarship about Iran was praised. His two stunning books General Maps of Persia and Special Maps of Persia …
The Rouhani-supporting newspaper Mardom-e Emrouz featured a photo of actor George Clooney alongside Clooney’s message of support for Charlie Hebdo and its staff – and was then shut down following the outraged demands of many more conservative media outlets in Iran. As Iranwire reported: “The closure also points to a wider problem: Rouhani’s failure to …
The Narges (narcissus) harvest is underway in Fars province. The flower has a prominent place in Persian poetry, literature, and culture as a symbol of beauty and innocence – and Mehr has a photo-gallery showing that while it might be cold and rainy here in London, spring has definitely sprung in some parts of Iran. Enjoy …
Tabriz has the largest covered bazaar in the world: 5.5 km, covering 27 hectares, or 1 million sq metres. It was rehabilitated using traditional building techniques, as recognised when it won the 2013 Aga Khan award for architecture, following on its inclusion as a UNESCO world heritage site. The Guardian has just done a photo …
I visited Bam on 26 Dec 2004 – exactly one year after the earthquake. My friend there told me how he didn’t know how long he had lain under the rubble after the big quake – he said it was worse than being in a food blender: going sideways in all directions, and up and …