Minister of Cultural Heritage: Protection Units are Guardians of National Identity / Intangible Heritage as National Soft Power
The Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, stated at the seventh national expert meeting of the commanders, deputies, officials, and managers of the protective bases of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts held at the Niavaran Cultural-Historical Complex, that Iran Charter plays a very important role in preserving and safeguarding the cultural identity of the country. He added that cultural heritage is influential not only as a historical asset but also as national soft power, impacting Iran’s position internationally. Salehi Amiri also emphasized the importance of safeguarding historical and intangible works, noting that protection units, using expert forces and cooperation with local communities, have been able to protect the country’s cultural heritage in the best way possible. He stressed that to improve the quality of cultural heritage protection, there is a need to strengthen infrastructure and increase public awareness of the importance of these national assets.
The Importance of the Protection Unit in Preserving the Cultural Identity of the Country
Minister of Cultural Heritage: The Protection Unit is the Guardian of the Nation’s Identity/ Intangible Heritage as the Country’s Soft Power plays a very vital role in preserving the cultural identity of the country. This unit, by employing specialists and advanced technologies, has been able to protect Iran’s historical and cultural artifacts against various threats. The existence of the Protection Unit as a defensive shield ensures that the country’s cultural heritage will remain bright and sustainable in the future.
Intangible Heritage: Iran’s Soft Power
Iran’s intangible heritage, including traditions, rituals, handicrafts, and local music, is recognized as a key element in strengthening the country’s soft power. This heritage not only enhances national identity but also serves as a tool to elevate Iran’s position internationally. The Minister of Cultural Heritage emphasized that protecting this heritage is a valuable investment for the country’s future.
The Role of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage in Strengthening the Country’s Soft Power
The Minister of Cultural Heritage, by declaring “the Protection Unit is the Guardian of the Nation’s Identity/ Intangible Heritage is the Country’s Soft Power,” pointed out the Ministry’s fundamental role in preserving and enhancing cultural heritage. Through implementing various projects, including the restoration and protection of historical artifacts, the Ministry strives to transmit the country’s cultural heritage to future generations while strengthening Iran’s soft power.
Collaboration of the Protection Unit with Local Communities
One of the key factors contributing to the success of the Protection Unit is its close collaboration with local communities. This cooperation not only aids in better protection of cultural heritage but also raises public awareness and participation. The Minister of Cultural Heritage stated that by harnessing local capacities, the Protection Unit has effectively safeguarded the country’s cultural heritage.
Development of Infrastructure for Cultural Heritage Protection
To improve the quality of cultural heritage protection, the development of suitable infrastructures is essential. The Minister of Cultural Heritage pointed out that the Ministry needs to strengthen its infrastructure and increase technical and human resources to be able to more effectively protect cultural heritage. This includes equipping protective bases and training specialized personnel.
Increasing Public Awareness about Cultural Heritage
Raising public awareness about the importance of cultural heritage is another priority of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage. The Minister emphasized that increasing public awareness can lead to greater public participation in the protection of cultural heritage. Numerous educational and promotional programs are being implemented to enhance public knowledge and responsibility.
Importance of Preserving Tangible and Intangible Artifacts
The preservation of tangible and intangible artifacts is the core of protecting the cultural identity of the country. The Minister of Cultural Heritage underscored this point by stating the significance of protecting these artifacts as an inseparable part of the nation’s identity. The Protection Unit employs modern technologies and management methods to achieve this goal.
Diverse Historical and Civilizational Capacities of Iran
With its rich history and civilization, Iran possesses diverse capacities in terms of cultural heritage. The Minister of Cultural Heritage expressed that no country in the world can compete with Iran’s historical and civilizational capacities. This cultural diversity provides endless opportunities for tourism development and enhancement of the country’s soft power.
Combating Anti-national Identity Elements by the Protection Unit
Fighting against smuggling and anti-national identity elements is one of the main objectives of the Protection Unit. The Minister of Cultural Heritage described this struggle as a spiritual jihad that carries both criminal and defensive responsibilities. The Protection Unit, by employing precise strategies and international collaborations, aids in reducing the smuggling of cultural artifacts and protecting the national identity of the country.
News Source : https://www.irna.ir/news/85689483/%D9%88%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%B1-%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AB-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C-%DB%8C%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AD%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B8%D8%AA-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8-%D9%87%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%84%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AB-%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B3
Frequently Asked Questions
- What role does the Protection Unit play in preserving the identity of the Iranian nation?
- The Minister of Cultural Heritage stated that the Protection Unit is the guardian of the identity of the Iranian nation and plays an important role in safeguarding cultural heritage as a main part of national identity.
- What are the views of the Minister of Cultural Heritage on cultural heritage?
- The Minister of Cultural Heritage stated that cultural heritage is the country’s soft power, and those responsible for protecting it are defenders of Iran. He further emphasized that cultural heritage is identity and character-building.
- How does Iran’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage contribute to the country’s soft power?
- The Minister Salihi-Amiri explained that Iran’s geography along with its tangible and intangible heritage is considered the country’s soft power, where society thrives on soft power and is protected by hard power.
- What historical sites did the Minister Salihi-Amiri mention as significant in Iran?
- The Minister Salihi-Amiri mentioned significant historical sites such as Jiroft, Hegmataneh, Shahroud, Marvdasht, Estakhr, Firuzabad, Naqsh-e Jahan, and others that represent the identity of this land.
- How does cultural heritage shape the identity and character of a nation?
- According to the Minister, cultural heritage signifies the identity and character of a nation, fostering national identity and strengthening its personality.
- How did the Minister of Cultural Heritage describe the defense of Iran?
- The Minister of Cultural Heritage referred to cultural heritage as the trustee of the defense of Iran, stating that safeguarding cultural heritage has a defensive role in preserving national identity.
- What is the relationship between Iranian and Islamic identities?
- Minister Salihi-Amiri stated that Iranian and Islamic identities are the two wings of our identity, and there is no conflict between them; the cultural and religious components of society are harmoniously coordinated.
- What did the Minister say about the current situation of preserving historical artifacts?
- Minister Salihi-Amiri stated that due to limited resources and facilities, there have been shortcomings in preserving the country’s historical artifacts, and more development is needed in this area.
- Why is the development and protection of Iran’s cultural heritage important?
- Due to the high importance of cultural heritage in shaping national identity and its character-building quality, the development and protection of cultural heritage are essential for preserving the country’s identity and soft power.
- What role does the younger generation play in protecting cultural heritage?
- The Minister emphasized that the interest of the younger Iranian generation in understanding and protecting cultural heritage can lead to complementary organization with the Protection Unit, and by utilizing local forces, more effective heritage protection can be achieved.
- How does the Ministry of Cultural Heritage combat the smuggling of historical artifacts?
- The Minister of Cultural Heritage termed the fight against smuggling as “jihad” and mentioned that battling anti-national identity elements is still a form of jihad, focused on preserving cultural heritage.
- How did the Minister of Cultural Heritage describe Iran’s competition with other countries in the UN?
- Minister Salihi-Amiri said that Iran’s cultural heritage holds an unparalleled position among UN member countries in terms of cultural and historical standing, and no country worldwide can compete with Iran’s diverse historical and civilizational capacities.
- What did the Minister say about joint collaborations in the protection of cultural heritage?
- Minister Salihi-Amiri emphasized the importance of joint and effective collaborations to strengthen and develop the facilities, equipment, and human resources of the Protection Unit to improve heritage protection.
- What challenges did the Minister mention in protecting Iran’s cultural heritage?
- The Minister of Cultural Heritage pointed out that failures in the preservation of historical artifacts are due to limited resources and facilities, which pose one of the main challenges in protecting cultural heritage.
- How was the temporary exhibition of artifacts discovered by the Protection Unit?
- The Minister of Cultural Heritage visited the temporary exhibition of artifacts discovered by the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit, showcasing the unit’s efforts in safeguarding and displaying Iran’s cultural heritage.
- Why is the security of forces important for the Ministry of Cultural Heritage?
- The security of forces is crucial for the Ministry of Cultural Heritage to ensure the Protection Unit can effectively engage in safeguarding cultural heritage and protect against various threats.
