UNESCO organized a festive event today at the Ivan Attar Auditorium in Sa’adabad Cultural and Historical Complex of Tehran marking the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2018 in Iran.

The event, which consisted of cultural performances and exhibitions from different provinces of Iran and countries around the world, was organized in cooperation with 17 embassies in Tehran. Hundreds of people from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds attended the celebration.

On this occasion Dr Rahgoshay and his spouse had the pleasure to meet Mrs Zarif, Foreign Minister’s spouse in Iran who congratulated them  for the various commitments and achievements of the Museum. Our Ethnic Dolls, Ambassadors of Peace and Friendship in the world , were also presented and offered to her and to different music and theater groups.

Ms. Esther Kuisch Laroche, Director and Representative of UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office highlighted in her opening speech that celebrating cultural diversity means celebrating equitable exchange and dialogue between civilizations, cultures and peoples, as a prerequisite for constructing peace among nations.

“Cultural diversity is the beauty of this world. Our heritage is what gives us a sense of identity and belonging, and it’s what makes us proud of who we are,” she added.

UNESCO’s envoy to Tehran, elsewhere in her remarks expressed that by celebrating cultural diversity, and seeking to learn about other people’s customs and traditions, we foster greater mutual understanding and harmony, and we come to realize that we are all united in our common humanity.

In 2001, UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity and in December 2002, the UN General Assembly, declared May 21 to be the “World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development”.