Iran Participated at the 10th Nairobi International Cultural Festival which was held in Nairobi with the presence of representatives of various countries and cultural, artistic and social institutions. The Cultural Counselor and Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kenya, the Simorgh Institute of Thought, a group of Iranians living in the country, and the Red Crescent of the Islamic Republic of Iran were actively present at this international event.

The pavilion of the Islamic Republic of Iran became one of the most visited pavilions at the festival and attracted special attention from visitors, officials, academics, cultural activists and diplomats from different countries.

The pavilion of the Islamic Republic of Iran was designed with the aim of introducing different aspects of Iranian culture and civilization. In this pavilion, various works of authentic Iranian handicrafts, including enamel work, turquoise carving, needlework, carpets and handmade Iranian carpet panels, were on display.

In the section introducing the achievements of the Islamic Republic of Iran, numerous brochures and cultural items in the fields of science, technology, tourism, culture and academia were made available to visitors. Films introducing historical, natural, cultural attractions and scientific advances in Iran were also shown in the pavilion.

On the sidelines of this event, the Iranian Cultural Council, in addition to introducing Persian language courses, provided a collection of books and educational resources from the Saadi Foundation to interested parties.

One of the distinctive parts of the Islamic Republic of Iran pavilion was the presence of the medical and health team in cooperation with the Red Crescent of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kenya, which provided free medical services, health consultations and medical guidance to visitors.

This action demonstrated the humanitarian approach and responsibility of Iranian officials. Also, the presentation and introduction of traditional Iranian foods familiarized visitors with a part of Iranian food culture and lifestyle and played an important role in creating a closer connection between the audience and Iranian culture.

Remembering the Martyrs and Spiritual Manifestations of the Iranian Pavilion

The section dedicated to the oppressed martyrs of Minab was an impressive manifestation of Iran's presence in this cultural event. In this section, images of the martyred Imam and a group of martyrs of Minab were displayed alongside Iranian calligraphy works. This collection, aimed at explaining the culture of sacrifice, resistance, and preserving the status of the martyr, gave a spiritual manifestation to the Iranian pavilion and provided the basis for visitors to become familiar with some of the realities and suffering imposed on the Iranian people.

Mehdi Beiki, the Cultural Counselor of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kenya, appreciated the performance of our country's representatives at the 10th Nairobi International Cultural Festival, and said in his speech: The historical relations between Iran and Africa, and especially the east of this continent, have a thousand-year history, and the role of Iranian merchants and sailors is prominent in the development of these interactions.

Pointing out that culture has always been the most effective means of communication between nations, he added: The descendants of the Iranian Shiraz and Baluchi are no longer considered strangers in Africa today, and due to the rich culture of the Iranian people and its localization with the assets and lifestyle of the people, especially East Africa, no one looks at them as having no identity in the current situation.

 

Beiki added: Many compatriots have been present in countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and several other African countries in the past due to commercial needs or geographical attractions, and in a colloquial way, they have taken root in the context of these regions.

He reminded: The eternal journey of a group of Iranians in past centuries was such that they were more affected by the constraints of geography than by the culture and traditions of various climates of this continent, as well as the type of architecture in some cities. The cultural works of Iranians in Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, Malindi, Malo and Anjouan are not hidden from anyone today.

According to the announcement, one of the highlights of the Nairobi International Cultural Festival was the lap of honor of a Kenyan cyclist with the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the festival grounds. This symbolic act reflected the respect and friendship between the two nations and was a sign of the Islamic Republic of Iran's position among the festival participants.