Brazil’s support for Iran in the 12-day war helped cultural communications

According to the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA), quoting the Public Relations and Information Center of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, André Veras Guimarães, the new Brazilian ambassador to Tehran, met and conversed with Seyyed Abbas Salehi, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, on Sunday (December 7).

During the meeting, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance said: “The relations between the two countries in the political and economic spheres are good. Of course, there is also a desirable situation in cultural interactions, but these relations can be further increased.”

He stated that the current relations between Iran and Brazil provide a significant opportunity for establishing cultural ties, adding: “The two countries’ common political stances in combating unilateralism and defending multilateralism, and the Brazilian government’s support for the resistance of the Iranian people in the 12-day war, are among the political backings that also contribute to the cultural sphere.”

Salehi clarified: “We have had and continue to have joint cooperations in BRICS, UNESCO, and similar organizations in economic, political, and cultural fields.”

The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance said: “The very good image that the Iranian people have of Brazil helps increase cultural interactions; from football to Brazilian writers and beyond, these are among the cultural communication channels between the two countries.”

Addressing the Brazilian ambassador in Tehran, he added: “We consider your presence in Iran a good omen, which can be a turning point in the relations between the two countries, and we can achieve many things together.”

Salehi stated: “Culture and art are the domain of stable governmental relations; Iran, with its millennia-old civilizational history and culture, can establish stronger ties in various fields with the people, culture, and art of Brazil.”

The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, while stating that connections can be established in the fields of cultural heritage, natural heritage, culture, and art, emphasized: “Iranian cinema is recognized on the global stage, producing a significant number of short and feature films annually and holding numerous festivals, the latest of which was the Fajr International Film Festival in Shiraz.”

He added: “Thousands of Iranian artists are active in traditional and contemporary arts, and there are many productions in the field of visual arts.”

Salehi clarified: “Active artists are working in traditional, local, and contemporary music. Furthermore, outstanding activities are taking place in performing arts, with thousands of plays staged annually.”

The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance said: “In the field of books and literature, more than a hundred thousand books are printed annually, and Iran has been and remains the land of literature and poetry.”

He added: “With the good image that the Iranian people have of the Brazilian people and the good relations between the two governments, we can have good relations with Brazil in all these branches, as Brazil also has prominent artists in all these fields, and we can have joint cooperation.”

The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, stating that holding film and literature weeks, awards, and joint productions can be part of the cultural programs between the two countries, said: “I suggest that the joint cultural memorandum signed between Iran and Brazil in 2009 be the basis for the action plan.”

In response to the Brazilian ambassador’s proposals, he also said: “We support any action that is effective in introducing Brazil more deeply to the Iranian people.”

Salehi clarified: “Of course, greater media cooperation can be considered; in this path, official media and media personalities who can showcase Brazilian society and various aspects of Brazilian life to the Iranian people can be utilized.”

The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance said: “Producing short or long documentary films between the two countries helps the people of Iran and Brazil understand each other; greater mutual understanding between the people of the two countries also paves the way for increasing areas of communication between them.”

Salehi finally emphasized: “The embassy is a common bridge that can help deepen these relations.”

André Veras Guimarães, the new Brazilian ambassador to Tehran, also addressed the Iranian Minister of Culture, saying: “I requested a meeting with you to establish better interactions in the cultural sphere.”

He stated that the two countries have good relations in the political and economic spheres, adding: “We must have more interactions in cultural matters so that, as a result, the people of the two countries become closer to each other.”