The first Iranian girls motocross championships held Thursday 9 February 2017 in Tehran ‘s Azadi sport complex. The 20 girls in professional, amateur and 150cc classes participated in this events.
Photo: Swedish Prime Minister in Iran
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven arrived in Tehran on Friday night 10 February 2017 and was welcomed by Iranian Minister of Industries, Mines and Trade Mohammadreza Nematzadeh.
President Rouhani officially welcomes Swedish PM
President Rouhani officially welcomed Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven at Sa’dabad Palace on Saturday 11 February 2017.
There are ample opportunities to develop Tehran-Stockholm ties/Iran, Sweden determined to deepen cooperation
Describing Tehran-Stockholm relations close and historical, President Rouhani said: “Developing ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Sweden, as a developed European country, an EU member and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, is very important for us”.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Sweden on Saturday in Tehran, President Rouhani said: “Sweden’s position towards our country during the sanctions and the nuclear issues has always followed moderation”.
He added: “There are ample potentials to develop ties between the two countries in the fields of transportation, environment, ICT, mining and industries”.
Referring to the two countries’ determination to restore the cooperation, especially in economy, between the two countries to the pre-sanctions era, Rouhani said: “We are seeking to tap economic potentials and opportunities, especially Export Guarantee Fund and closer banking relations”.
“We believe that the European Union should fully support European companies and banks in the post-JCPOA era for them to make the best use of the environment for common interests,” continued Rouhani.
He also referred to negotiations about Iran’s transit route and connecting the Northern and Eastern Europe to the Indian Ocean through railways and roads, and said: “Developing academic, scientific, technological, and communications ties will be beneficial to both countries”.
“The first official visit by the Prime Minister of Sweden and the high-ranking delegation, accompanies by the representatives of 40 companies to the Islamic Republic of Iran means that there is serious resolve by both sides to develop ties in all fields and decrease tensions in the region, ultimately leading to regional and global peace and stability”.
At the same press conference, the Prime Minister of Sweden, Stefan Löfven expressed happiness over visiting Tehran, saying: “The former Prime Minister of Sweden visited Tehran in the 80s multiple times to mediate between Iran and Iraq during the war but this is the first official visit of a Swedish Prime Minister to Iran and I am very happy that the honour is mine”.
He continued: “We discussed regional issues, human rights, Syrian issues, and Iran’s relations with other key countries of the region, such as Saudi Arabia”.
“We also talked about closer ties between companies of the two countries and following this visit, a number of ministers and representatives of great Swedish companies will visit Iran,” Löfven went on.
Iran’s ‘Life and a Day’ movie to hit Portland Film Fest.
Iranian film ‘Life and a Day’, directed by Saeed Roostaee, will be screened at the New Directors section of the 40th Portland International Film Festival.
The film chronicles the story of a family preparing for a wedding ceremony, but the situation gets complicated and tough as a result of some incidents, ISNA wrote.
The bitter social drama competed with movies from France, Denmark, Argentina, and Hong Kong to win a total of nine Crystal Simorgh awards at the 34th Fajr Film Festival.
It also won the best award at the 22nd Geneva International Film Festival Tous Ecrans and the prestigious NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema) Award at Iranian Film Festival Australia.
The festival will be held on February 9-25 in Oregon, the US.
The event is a non-profit independent film festival that is held in several local theaters in Portland, Oregon. It was founded in 2013 by Joshua Leake and Jay Cornelius. The first film festival was held from August 27 through September 1, 2013 and featured networking events, workshops and food carts. 83 films were shown in the inaugural festival and over 600 were submitted for consideration at the festival. Highlights of the event included Andy Mingo’s short film ‘Romance’, which was based on a Chuck Palahniuk short story.
Iran to sign $8.6B oil refining mega-deals
Iran expects to sign its biggest oil refining contracts worth $8.6 billion with a number of Japanese, Chinese and South Korean companies this month or later, an official said on Wednesday.
The biggest deal is reserved for Japan’s Marubeni, Chiyoda and Mitsui companies to upgrade Isfahan refinery, Deputy Oil Minister Abbas Kazemi told reporters in Tehran, Press TV reported.
“Negotiations have been held with the three companies and the deal for this massive refining project worth $3.6 billion is expected to be finalized soon,” he said.
Another $2-billion contract is about to be signed with South Korea’s Daelim to boost oil processing capacity at Isfahan refinery, Kazemi added.
However, the most imminent contract, valued at $3 billion, is expected to be concluded within the next couple of weeks with the Chinese to develop and improve the quality of Abadan refinery.
Kazemi predicted the formal implementation of the project beginning in the current Iranian month, which started on January 21, with the participation of energy officials from the two countries as well as senior directors of China’s SINOPEC company.
The scheme is planned to cut furnace oil production at the plant to about 20 percent from the current 40 percent, the official said.
China has opened $1.3-billion credit line to financier the plan, he said, adding another $1.7 billion is expected to be opened in the spring.
Iran plans to sign contracts worth $14 billion to fix and upgrade the quality of Tehran, Bandar Abbas, Isfahan, Tabriz and Abadan refineries, said Kazemi who is also managing director of National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company.
Iranian girl elected as best volleyball player in Central Asia
Iranian girl volleyball player Soudabeh Bagherpour has been elected as the best middle-defense player in women’s world qualifiers in Central Asia, an official said.
Soudabeh Bagherpour, No. 4
Deputy Head of Mazandaran Sports and Adolescent Organization Maryam Farajpour told IRNA on Monday that Bagherpour together with four other players were elected as the best players.
Women’s world qualifiers of Central Asia started on January 27 in Malé, Maldives.
Iranian team overpowered the host country 3-0 and ranked 1st in the competitions.
Iran has been introduced as the 10th team of Asia qualifiers and it will head for semi-final match to receive quota of world competitions.
The 18th round of the 2018 World Women’s Volleyball Championship will be held from September 30 to October 21, 2018 in Japan.
Sassanid era footprints found in western Iran
Recent excavations in the vicinity of Jahangir Dome in Eivan in Iran’s western province of Ilam proved the Sassanid origin of the architectural structures along the banks of Kangir River, said the supervisor of the excavation team in the region.
Leila Khosravi added that research works were part of continued archeological studies in the Kangir River basin. The excavations led to the discovery of architectural structures and unparalleled plaster works with animal (Pegasus), human and plant motifs, RICHT wrote.
Noting that the Jahangir Dome was one of the three areas in which excavations were conducted during the construction of Kangir Dam, Khosravi said, “Given the insufficient archeological research, particularly about such residential textures in western Iran which continued until the advent of Islam, the necessity and importance of the excavations was quite obvious.”
She listed a stone, metal, glass and animal bones as well as plant remains as among the objects discovered in the excavation and said stone findings included millstone, mortar, weight stone and grindstone which shed light on the lifestyles of the tribes inhabiting the area.
She said the special position of the area in the central Zagros region and its location on one of the strategically important ancient routes of Mesopotamia and the Kangir River could be one of the important parameters in shaping this settlement in the historic era.
She said gypsum plaster was the main material for building the walls and half-baked half-beaten plaster were the basic mortar used in the construction of the building as well as bricks in different sizes.
According to the archeologist, the construction of a dome covered with brick and stone, large halls with vault, the use of stone and plaster material in the architecture as well as springing arch for covering the roofs of the rooms are the heritage of the Sassanid era, which are observed in this building.
Khosravi noted that the period of prosperity in the area began during the Sassanid era since population growth witnessed a dramatic expansion in urbanization and urban development.
The archaeologist added that the unearthed architectural remains could be divided into two categories: First, the main building which was built in the Sassanid era over a Parthian precinct area and in the first century of Islam up to the fourth century lunar Hegira had been used by tribes and nomads.
The area, she staterd, had been used as a winter resort by tribes along the Kangir River and excavations in the building reveal tribal settlement over the centuries.
Khosravi said Jahangir Dome enclosure which extends over an areas of over 15 hectares is located on the banks of the Kangir River in Zarneh District of the city of Eivan in Ilam Province.
Photo: Sadeh celebration held all over Iran
Sadeh meaning hundred,celebrates 50 days before Nowrouz. Sadeh celebration is a mid winter feast that was celebrated with grandeur and magnificence in ancient Iran. It was a festivity to honor fire and to defeat the forces of darkness, frost and cold. Two different days were observed for its veneration.
Photo: Sadeh celeberation in Kerman
The other one was the hundredth day after the gahambar of Ayathrima (one of the six feasts of obligation) held to be the beginning of winter. This day coincides with 10th of Bahman in present calendar. It is not clear why there are two Sadeh Festivals and why different regions have had different dates. Many of Zoroastrian holy days were and are celebrated twice; this is most likely caused by the calendar reform in the 3rd century AD.
From Achaemenid times the Iranian calendar had 360 days and was short of 5 days. Ardeshir the first Sassanian king reformed the calendar and 5 days were added at the end. The new calendar receded slowly against the solar year, and the holy days, which with their symbolism were closely linked with the seasons, became gradually divorced from them. The months moved and so did the holy days, to make sure festivals were observed correctly both the old and the new dates were celebrated. The festival celebrated in Yazd till a few decades ago was according to Fasli (seasonal) calendar and in a few villages it was called Hiromba. While the other Zoroastrians celebrated the Sadeh in Bahman. There was confusion earlier in the century as to when it should be celebrated, but most Zoroastrians have adopted the 10th of Bahman as the main event.
In Sassanian times huge bon fires were set up. Priests led the prayers specific to fire ‘Atash Niyayesh’ and performed the correct rituals before it was lit at sunset. People would dance around the fires. Wine an expensive luxury was served communally and like all other Zoroastrian religious ceremonies the occasion would end with fun, merriment and feasts. The most elaborate report of the celebration comes from the 10th century during the reign of Mardavij Zeyari, the ruler of Isfahan.
From Iranian origin the Zeyari family did their best to keep the old traditions alive. Huge bon fires were set up on both sides of the ‘Zayandeh Rood’, the main river dividing the city. The fires were contained in specially build metal holders to maintain control. Hundreds of birds were released while carrying little fireballs to light the sky. There were fireworks, clowns, dance and music with lavish feasts of roasted lamb, beef, chicken and other delicacies.
Photo: Sadeh celeberation in Yazd.
The tradition was virtually lost even amongst the Zoroastrians. In Pahlavi era it was revived and adopted as a major celebration by the whole Zoroastrian community and it is becoming known and increasingly popular with the rest of the Iranians as well. With Zoroastrians the chief preparation for Sadeh is the gathering of wood the day before the festival. Teen-age boys accompanied by a few adult males will go to local mountains in order to gather camel’s thorn, a common desert shrub in Iran. For most it will be the first time they are away from their families. Wood is a scarce commodity in Iran and the occasion resembles a rite of passage, a noteworthy step for the boys on the way to manhood.
The wood gathered would be taken to the local shrine and on their return home if it is their first time there will be a celebration for the boys at home with friends and relatives. However this practice is becoming more difficult these days and attempts are made to preserve it. The work is hard, wood more scarce than ever, fewer boys are prepared to attempt it and safety is a major concern. In addition massive emigration into the cities or outside the country has significantly reduced the number of boys available for this occasion.
Traditionally young boys went door to door and ask for wood and collect whatever they could get, from a broken spade-handle to logs and broken branches. While knocking on doors they would chant simple verses like “if you give a branch, god will grant your wish, if you don’t, god won’t favor your wish” and similar verses. All wood collected would be taken to the local shrine. Before the sunset all gathered outside the temple to torch the wood.
Prayers were said with chants remembering the great ones of the faith and the deceased. In ancient times the fires were always set near water and temples. The great fire originally meant (like winter fires lit at other occasions) to help revive the declining sun, and bring back the warmth and light of summer. It was also designed to drive off the demons of frost and cold, which turned water to stone, and thus could kill the roots of plants beneath the earth. For this reasons the fire was lit near and even over water and by the shrine of Mihr, who was lord both of fire and the sun. Biruni in AD 1000 has very accurately described all these reasons for Sadeh Festival.
The fire is kept burning all night. The day after, first thing in the morning, women would go to the fire and each one will carry a small portion back to their homes and new glowing fires are made from the ritually blessed fire. This is to spread the blessing of the Sadeh fire to every household in the neighborhood. Whatever that is left of the fire will be taken back to the shrine to be pilled in one container and will be kept at the temple.
The festivities would normally go on for three days and the wood gathering by the boys door to door and blessing of the dead happens every night and evenings are spend eating and giving away ‘khairat’ (giving away as a good deed). Food prepared from slaughtered lamb and ‘ash e khairat’ are distributed amongst the less fortunate.
Today, Sadeh is mainly celebrated on 10th of Bahman. The fires may or may not be lit outside and most activities take place inside the shrines. The wood gathering activities are reduced though there are efforts to preserve them. However the bulk of the Iranians are becoming more familiar with the occasion and there are gatherings and celebrations outside Iran. Fires are lit, music, dancing and merriment of all kinds will go on for the rest of the evening. The occasion for the majority of Iranians has no religious significance and no specific rituals are involved other than torching bon fires at sunset and having a merry time and therefore keeping up with the ancient traditions when merriment was venerated and practiced.
French FM comes to Iran
France‘s foreign minister travels to Iran on Monday, seeking to reaffirm Europe’s commitment to the nuclear deal that US President Donald Trump has threatened to annul.
The deal struck in 2015 with three European countries, Russia, China and the United States gave Iran relief from a range of sanctions, allowing it to strike major business deals with Europe for the first time in years, Reuters reported.
After taking one of the hardest lines in the negotiations, France has been quick to restore trade ties. Plane maker Airbus, oil major Total and automobile manufacturers Peugeot and Renault have all signed deals.
Some 50 French firms will take part in a Franco-Iranian economic forum on Tuesday at which more will be signed.
“Jean-Marc Ayrault is going to underline the importance that all sides which backed the deal strictly respect their commitments,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Romain Nadal told a daily briefing.
Trump has called the deal, which imposes limits on Iran’s nuclear activities, “the worst deal ever negotiated” threatening to annul it or seek a better agreement.
However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif recently said Washington cannot unilaterally decide to abrogate the agreement as it is an “international agreement,” and not a bilateral one between Iran and the US.
Earlier this month and on the anniversary of the deal’s implementation, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said if Trump went ahead with acting on the threat, Iran would burn the agreement.
The EU says it is in full agreement with China and Russia over the need to keep the nuclear deal alive.
Despite the sanction relief, including on banking restrictions, Iran continues to struggle to access Western finance, partly due to banks’ fears about penalties related to remaining US sanctions.
Iranian tankers leased oil to EU giants
NITC head announced that 35 Iranian tankers have been leased out to oil companies in Europe like Spain’s Cepsa and Eni of Italy.
New Managing Director of the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) Sirous Kianersi described latest status of oil displacement agreements between NITC and huge European oil companies saying “so far, 35 contracts have been inked with European sides for taking out leases on 35 Iranian tankers.”
The official stated that the 35 lease contracts had been signed with oil giants from various EU states like Greece, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands asserting that the deals were spot contracts which were sealed for transport of crude oil.
He highlighted that Iranian tankers enjoyed highest standards for transference of crude oil in ports and oil terminals of the European Union (EU); “so far, agreements have been signed with majority of European oil firms like Spain’s Cepsa, Italy’s Eni in addition to Greek and Dutch companies.
In view of post-JCPOA conditions and removal of restrictions, more agreements will be sealed with European oil giants for displacement of crude oil, the official reiterated.
Last week, Kianersi had reported on berthing of Iranian oil tankers at EU oil terminals stressing that the first Iranian tanker had tied up at a Spanish socking site.
For the first time ever, an Iranian tanker, which has been lent out to a large Spanish oil company, moored at Algeciras port of the European state.