Journey to iran
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Here is a presentation that I put together about my home country Iran. I don't own most of these photos and all the credit should go to the photographer. Best, Alireza Sarebanha
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Journey to iran
- 1. Journey to Iran Alireza Sarebanha
- 3. Iran Pronunciation : /ee raan Climate: Four Season Population: Over 75 Million Size: 636,000 sq. mi, 3*Arizona
- 4. Tehran
- 11. Golestan Palace
- 13. Sangak
- 14. Bazaar
- 19. Tehran Kashan
- 21. Rose and Rose water ceremony
- 22. Fin Garden
- 23. Kashan Isfahan
- 24. Abyaneh
- 25. 33 pol ( 33 bridges)
- 26. Khaju bridge
- 29. Isfahan Yazd
- 32. Yazd City of Wind towers
- 34. Good thoughts, good words and good deeds. "Zoroaster"
- 35. Yazd Shiraz
- 36. Persepolis
- 38. Tomb of Hafez
- 39. Human beings are members of a whole, In creation of one essence and soul. If one member is afflicted with pain, Other members uneasy will remain. If you have no sympathy for human pain, The name of human you cannot retain! - Saadi Tomb of Saadi
- 41. Nasir al-Mulk Mosque or Pink Mosque
- 42. Tomb of Cyrus
- 43. Shiraz Kavir
- 45. Dasht- lut
- 46. Kavir Bam
- 47. Arg e Bam ( Bam Citadel)
- 49. Bam Southern
- 56. Nomads
- 58. Lorestan Tabriz
- 60. Tabriz Northern
- 67. Northern Mashhad
- 70. Ferdowsi Tusi
- 73. Special Thanks to Katya Liz Chris and all the others and Haleh , Laura, Moein, Shohreh ,Arman Mojgan , Payam and Negin
- 74. Thank you
Editor's Notes
- Good evening everyone. I hope you had a wonderful evening so far. My name is Alireza. I am a third year PhD student in UCSD and I am glad to be here tonight with you all. When initially they asked me to give a presentation about Iran which where I was born and lived for 21 years, I didn’t think it would be that hard. But as soon as I tried to think about how I am going to talk about everything that I love about this country in half an hour, I started to get nervous! That’s why I decided to assume that I am still living in Iran and you are my lovely guest who came to IRAN and that’s my responsibility to make sure you are enjoying your time in Iran. So, welcome to IRAN.
- Before we start our journey together, I would like to show a video which is Timeline map of Ancient Persia to Iran. (8000 B.C. till now)
- If you take a close look in Iran’s map you will see that is like a seated cat. This beautiful cat is what we call Iran. There are four seasons in Iran and actually in any time of the year you can find all four seasons by travelling around the country. It has a pollution of over 75 Million people and it is about 3 times larger than Arizona.
- Here are different places in Iran that I going to take you there tonight. In order to be able to keep track of where we are I will use this beautiful cat! (Iran’s Map). Our first stop will be Tehran which is Iran’s capital with over 14 million people living in the city and its suburbs.
- But first! Ladies, You need to cover up as soon as you leave the plane but don’t worry in few days, you will be a master in using colorful scarves as a new style!
- - Probably the first thing you will see from tehran is Azadi Square (liberty square) which it used to be symbol of tehran before they built Milad Tower.
- - After you drive through the tehran’s busy highways with tall buildings, you will realize wherever you go you are able to see a tower and a beautiful mountain in the horizon.
- That tower is Milad tower which is symbol of modern Tehran these days. And you might be crouis to see how Tehran looks from above and go up and there you go. Busy highways with thounseds of building and millions of people living there.
- In the north part of Tehran, you see Damavand which is the largest mountain in Middle east . Damavand is home to great hiking and camping in the summer and has ski resorts that are open all winter.
- Whenever you are driving in this megacity you should always expect traffic and be prepared for it. Tehran has countless museums and it used to be Shah’s residence since it was capital from 1778. Speaking of Shah, why don’t we go to see the former Royal complex in Tehran.
- Golestan Palace is the oldest histroic monument in Tehran which was build almost 500 years ago and became the official residence of the royal Qajar family and later used for formal royal receptions with its exceptional interior and exterior façade decorations.
- You might like to just start exploring Tehran by walking around in the city and you will find yourself in one of many Shi’ah mosques. This Emamzadeh Saleh mosque entombs the remains of Saleh, a son of the twelver Shi’ah Imam and is one of the most popular shrines in northern Tehran.
- If you continue wandering around the city you might come across one of these traditional bakeries. The bread “ Sangak” is baked on a bed of small hot river stones in an oven and you won’t believe how delicious it is specially if you eat it fresh out of the oven.
- Something that you shouldn’t miss is the grand bazaar. Bazaar is a historical marketplace where goods and services are exchanged or sold which every city has at least one of them and it used to be main trading center before. This grand bazaar is still playing an important rule and sometime consider as heart of the city.
- Not only you are able to buy what you need in Bazaar but also you can have a delicious lunch there which are mostly traditional Persian dishes. Different types of Kababs or different Persian stews with rice!
- On your way back from bazaar, don’t forget to try these street snacks! Hot cooked beets and faba beans will keep you warm in winter days and Sour cherrys and sour plum will feed you sour tooth! We Persian love taste of sour which I didn’t find it to be the same with my American friends!
- Here are the photos that Brandon (Humans of New York’s photographer) took in his trip to Iran. He likes to take photos of strangers and listen to their stories and I am sure there are a lot of nice stories in the streets of Tehran that you can listen to them. Different stories of life…
- Before we leave Tehran, I would like to show 2 minutes clip which Mandy made from her trip to Iran. Lets watch it together.
- Our first stop would be Kashan which is 2 hr driving south of Tehran.
- On our way you probably see pomogernate trees. The pomegranate tree is native from Iran to the Himalayas. First time that I saw instruction coming with Pomegranate in State I was like what? Why do you need an instruction to know how to eat pomegranate.
- Kashan is wellknown for its festival of rose and rose water. Every year during the second half of May, this festival is being held in Kashan. Rose water is made from a very sweet smelling kind of rose and is used in various traditional dishes and sweets. It is also used as a perfume among some Muslims.
- Fin garden located in Kashan is a historical persian garden. the Fin Garden employs many great water features. These were fed from a spring on a hillside behind the garden, and the water pressure was such that a large number of circulating pools and fountains could be constructed without the need for mechanical pumps
- Our next stop would be beautiful Isfahan which its nick name is half of world due to its rich architectural and cultural aspects.
- On our way to Isfahan you might want to stop by and check this magical village. Abyaneh is one of the oldest village in Iran and it is famous due to its peculiar reddish hue. An Abyunaki woman typically wears a white long scarf (covering the shoulders and upper trunk) which has a colourful pattern and an under-knee skirt.
- When you get to Isfahan you see it is divided into two regions by Zayande river. The Zayande River starts in the Zagros Mountains, flows from west to east through the heart of Isfahan. The bridges over this river include some of the finest architecture in Isfahan. Sieose pol which means 33 Bridge consists of two rows of 33 arches from either sides, left and right.
- The next bridge is Khaju bridge which is probably the finest bridge in the province of Isfahan, Iran. These bridges were built almost 400 years ago serving both as a bridge and a dam.
- The Naghsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan is one of the largest city squares in the world and an outstanding example of Iranian and Islamic architecture. This square is situated at the center of Isfahan city and right to Isfahan’s bazaar.
- The Bazaar of Isfahan is a historical market and one of the oldest and largest bazaars of the Middle East. As you pass by you may see handicraft factory-selling shop. Thats where I recommend you to buy souvenirs for your loved ones.
- Our next stop would be the city of Yazd which is famous for its ancient ventilation system of badgirs (windtowers), designed to catch even the faintest of breezes and channel them to the buildings below.
- First place to visit in Yazd is Amir Chakhmaq Complex which is noted for its symmetrical sunken alcoves. This complex has a caravansera which is a historical roadside inn where travelers could rest and recover from the day's journey.
- The famous traditional architecture of the city is a direct result of thousands of years of adaptation to the dry desert summers.
- The most eye-catching feature of Iranian desert architecture is the badgir. These are square towers which rise a few metres above the roof of the house. Each face of the badgir opens into a separate chimney-like air shaft which leads right down to the lowest level of the house.
- Here you see a traditional door which you can find all over the country. If you look closer on the door knobs you see there are two different type of knobs. Iranians have wanted to know who is knocking at the door. Is it a man or a woman? The male knocker on the right and the female knocker on the left make distinctly different sounds which eliminates any confusion over who is knocking or who should answer the door. A man answers the door if a man is calling while a woman answers the door if the caller is a woman.
- You shouldn’t leave Yazd without visiting Atashkadeh which means house of eternal fire. This temple is the most important Zoroastrian fire temple. Basic tenets of their religion are Good thoughts, good word and good deeds.
- Next city we want to visit is Shiraz. First thing comes to your mind when you hear Shiraz might be Shiraz wine. But before we get to Shiraz we should have an stop in Perspolis.
- This magnificent palace complex at Persepolis was founded by Darius the Great around 518 B.C. and it took more than a century to complete. Conceived to be the seat of government for the Achaemenian kings and a center for receptions and ceremonial festivities, the wealth of the Persian empire was evident in all aspects of its construction.
- Gate of nations on the right, Achaemenid griffin on left. That’s what I can call Persian Pride.
- Okay we finally got to Shiraz which is home of poetry and literature. First stop would be Tomb of Hafez which is memorial structure for celebrated persian poet Hafez. He is one of the most celebrated of the Persian poets, and his influence can be felt to this day.
- The other famous major persian poet is Saadi who is well known for his aphorisms, the most famous of which, Bani Adam, is part of the Gulistan. Human beings are members of a whole,In creation of one essence and soul.If one member is afflicted(aflikted) with pain,Other members uneasy will remain.If you have no sympathy for human pain,The name of human you cannot retain!
- Nasir al Mulak Mosque or pink mosque is a traditional mosque in Shiraz. The mosque extensively uses colored glass in its facade, and it displays other traditional elements in its design.
- It is also named in popular culture as Pink Mosque due to the usage of beautiful pink color tiles for its interior design. This mosque is a strong exception to the idea that historical structures might have been somewhat lacking in the colors.
- Next stop before we leave Fars providence is to see Tomb of Cyrus. Cyrus the great , was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire. The Cyrus Cylinder, sometimes called "the first declaration of human rights," is a barrel-shaped baked clay cylinder smaller than an American football which is in British museums these days.
- Our next stop would be in Kavir which means de serts. Iran has two large salted de serts in centeral and southeastern Iran.
- Nasa recording shows that Hottest land surface on earth is located in Dash-lut and land surface tempratures reachs there up to almost 160 degree F.
- In the Dasht-e Lut, some of the dunes towers are nearly a thousand feet high.
- Our next stop from Kavir would be Bam.
- The Arg e bam was the largest adobe building in the world. I still remember the first time that I walked into the citadel(30tadel) and I really felt that I am traveling with a time machine back to 7th century.
- Unfortunately after 2003 earthquake citadel severely damaged. Almost 80 percent of citadel destoryed in that earthquake.
- We finally made it all the way to southern part of Iran. Persian gulf and Oman’s shores.
- As soon as you start looking around you see a drastic change in the culture , weather and enviornment in compare to what you saw in Tehran. People dress differently.
- People celebrate differently.
- And also the local type of job that they are doing is also different. People who are living in this area are mostly arabs. Iranian arabs.
- You will see date palms everywhere.
- And of course thats where Oil is as well!
- Taking a long trip from south to western region of Iran will take us to Lorestan where you can see Nomads there.
- There are two main tribes in Iran as Nomads. Bakhtiari and ghashghaiee tribes. They are migirating between summer quarters and winter quarter. They have their own spectacular ceremonies and traditions.
- The way they dress is also fascinating. In bottom picture here you see a woman whose is making butter from milk with old fashioned techniques.
- Our next stop will be Tabriz in northwestren region of Iran. People who are living there are mainly Iranian turkish people who speak Azari and Farsi.
- Big portion of beatiful persian carpets that you see all over the world is coming from Tabriz. Kashan, Yazd , Isfahan, Kerman and Tabriz they all have their own style for persian carpet and that why each Persian carpet has its own story depends on where it is coming from.
- Our next stop will be Northern part of Iran which includes southern caspian regions.
- This region is covered with dense forests, snow covered mountains and impressive sea shores.
- Fishermans are leaving their houses in the morning and if you get to the shore by around noon they are almost done with fishing and you should be able to buy fresh fish right out of the sea.
- Most of lands in there are cover by rice and Tea.
- These fertile lands bring job for the local people living in north part of Iran.
- And then we get to Masuleh. Masuleh is one of Iran's most valued architectural treasures. Masuleh architecture is unique. The buildings have been built into the mountain and all are interconnected. Courtyards and roofs both serve as pedestrian areas similar to streets. Masuleh does not allow any motor vehicles to enter, due to its unique layout. It is the only city in Iran with such a prohibition. However, the small streets and many stairs simply wouldn't make it possible for vehicles to enter.
- Honestly, I am not able to put the beauty of this balcony into words… Simply beatiful
- For our last stop we are going to Northeastern region of Iran, to Mashhad. Mashhad is close to iran’s borders with Turkamanistan and Afghanistan.
- The Imam Reza shrine is in Mahshhad which contains the mausoleum (mosoliem) of Imam Reza, the eighth Imam of Twelver Shi'ites. It is the largest mosque in the world by dimension and the second largest by capacity.
- Apart from its religious significance, the complex is an architectural masterpiece decorated with intricate tiles, calligraphy, beautiful courtyards and porches. Every year the ceremony of Dust Clearing is celebrated in the Imam Reza shrine.
- Hakim Ferdosi is also from this region who is highly respected Persian poet and the author of the epic of Shahnameh - the Persian "Book of Kings" - which is the world's longest epic poetry created by a single poet, and the national epic of Iran and the Persian speaking world. The Persian language is revived by his works. “Book of Kings” is pure Persian and doesn’t have any Arabic vocabulary.
- Northeastern region of Iran have suitable climate to grow Saffron. The flowers which are high-maintanance floweres have to be individually hand-picked in the autumn when fully open. Iran has approximately 90 % of the world production of Saffron. 150 flowers and substantial labor are needed to produce a single gram of saffron and that makes it the most expensive spice.
- And with that I hope you made good memories in Iran and have tons of stories to tell others.
- Before I finish I would like to say thank you to these lovely people in Friends of international center: Katya, Liz and Chris and all the other people to make this happen and thank Haleh, Laura, Moein, Shohreh, Arman, Mojgan Payam and Negin for their help in this presentation.
- And of course, Thank you all for being here and deep in my heart I would love to be your host in IRAN. Thank you.