The first international photo exhibition 'ECO Life' was held on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, featuring the presence of Eng. Mohsen Hashemi Rafsanjani, Chairman of Tehran City Council, and a group of prominent diplomats and artists at Ferdowsi World Trade Center in Tehran.
According to ECI public relations, in an interview on the sidelines of the exhibition, Chairman of the Tehran City Council appreciated Dr. Mazaheri's special attention to the promotion of peace and friendship among ECO countries and underscored: "The continuation of this process which has just begun by the head of the ECO Cultural Institute, is indispensable and inevitable for the expansion of the spirit of friendship among the Persian speaking nations."
Also speaking at the opening, Mr. Dastmalchi, former Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, talked about the importance of the initiative taken by the ECI President in organizing the exhibition and said: "The Iranian civilization is brimming with cultural commonalities and organizing programs such as this will definitely contribute to more solidarity in this ancient region."
Speaking at the ceremony, Mohammad Mahmoudi, ECI's spokesman, addressed the guests and delivered the warm message of welcome of Dr. Mazaheri, the ECI president, to the national and foreign guests attending the opening ceremony of 'ECO Life' exhibition and said: "The strategy of the ECO Cultural Institute, to part of which we are bearing witness today at Ferdowsi's World Trade Center, is contributing to fostering peace through public diplomacy and deepening of friendship among the peoples of the region through art and culture."
He then continued that the establishment of the first joint gallery of the 10 ECO countries, called 'ECO Art', which is going to open today, is another initiative of the ECI president for providing the ground for further interaction of ECO artists.
Mr. Kalaee, director of Ferdowsi Global Trade Center, also spoke at the inaugural of the ECO Life photo exhibition saying: "I would like to express my gratitude for the special support and assistance rendered by Dr. Mazaheri, president of the ECO Institute of Culture, in organizing this exhibition, which has imbued hope in the artists
He also thanked Ms. Lida Saeedi, director of the ECO Art Gallery, for organizing the ECO Life exhibition, adding: "I hope with her presence as well as the continued support of the president of the E CO Cultural Institute, we will witness the growing expansion of a collaborative endeavor".
According to the same report, the opening of the first joint art gallery of the ten ECO countries named 'ECO Art' was officially opened during a ceremony attended by Mr. Ahmad Masjed Jamei, member of Tehran City Council, who said at the event: "The initiative taken by Dr. Mazaheri in organizing ECO Life exhibition and opening the first joint gallery of the ten countries is praiseworthy".
He then continued his remarks pointing to the many profound commonalities of the nations of the region and said: "Through supporting measures such as what we are witnessing today at Ferdowsi World Trade Center, we should provide the ground for deepening the arts and cultural relations of the countries of this region".
It is worth mentioning that representatives of Radio Iran, Radio Farhang, IRINN and IRIB news agency, Jam-e-Jam, IFilm 2, Turkey's Hilal TV, Iran Press and a number of journalists of the national media covered the opening ceremony and held interviews with the organizers and guests.