According to the ECO Cultural Institute, the inauguration of the Iran Craft Week was held on Thursday, June 10, 2021.
The full text of Sarvar Bakhti’s speech at the opening of the Iran Craft Week international event reads:
Art is a kind of salvation that frees us from suffering and enchants the images of life (Arthur Schopenhauer)
Excellencies,
It’s a privilege for me to attend the Iran Craft Week international event to carry the message of friendship from the traditional craft artists of ECO member countries to you, the distinguished dignitaries in the field of traditional arts and crafts in today’s world. I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Monesan, the honorable Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and his insightful Deputy, Dr. Mahmoudian, in the field of traditional arts and crafts, who provided me with this opportunity for sharing and exchanging ideas.
Ladies and gentlemen,
If the goal of art is the salvation of human beings; “Cultural Ostentation” is replaced with “Cultural Homogeneity” and instead of “fortifying the borders and distance of nations”, art bestows “Borderless Culture” to all nations of the world. “Cultural Homogeneity” is a guide to our commonalities and “Cultural Ostentation” leads nations to “Sense of Superiority” and conflict intensification. In the same way, cultural heritage and traditional arts pave the way for the revival of the “Common Cultural Life of Nations” by identifying connecting points on the cultural map of all countries; by connecting the points, building solidarity among artisans around the world in the near future will not remain a dream.
Distinguished intellectuals,
As the President of the ECO Cultural Institute, I extend the hand of friendship and solidarity to all of you and declare that in today’s world - despite all the dangers and risks - we are close to each other more than ever. To recognize this growing closeness, we need to pass over “Cultural Ostentation” and make a collective movement towards “Cultural Homogeneity”. In conclusion, I would like to avail this opportunity to invite Your Excellencies to take part in the first International ECO Art Meeting, which will be focusing on traditional arts and crafts, scheduled to be held in the near future by the ECO Cultural Institute. The event will provide a good opportunity to further highlight our commonalities and join hands for the realization of the “Common Cultural Life of Nations” by fulfilling the potentials of the vast ECO Region with a population of 500 million. Hope to see you again in the enchanting world of handicrafts.