The good news from the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance to banned artists.
The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, emphasizing the resolution of the issue for a number of other banned artists, said: “We will soon have good news in this regard.”
According to cinemadrame, Seyed Abbas Salehi, on the evening of Saturday, December 22, attended the 20th Tehran International Puppet Theater Festival and watched the performance “Torlan,” which is participating in the festival from the city of Ardabil.
This visit was accompanied by Naderah Rezaei, the Deputy Minister of Arts at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Ahad Biouteh, the representative of Ardabil in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Atabak Naderi, the head of the Department of Performing Arts, Amir Sultan Ahmadi, the secretary of the 20th Tehran International Puppet Theater Festival, Hassan Joudaki, the head of the City Theater Complex, and others at the Qashqai Hall of the City Theater Complex. After watching the performance, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance also visited the festival’s inclusive section, which is held for people with disabilities.
On the sidelines of this visit, Seyed Abbas Salehi spoke with reporters about issues such as lifting the ban on artists, attention to theater in provinces, the necessity of using theater to enhance the personal and social skills of people with disabilities, and more. He mentioned that we will soon have good news regarding the removal of the ban on artists.
Regarding the resolution of the issue for a number of other artists, especially women who are still banned from working, and in response to whether there is good news in this regard ahead of Women’s Day, he explained: “As I have repeatedly said, with the help of friends in the judicial and security sectors, and with the efforts of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the issue of a number of banned artists, both women and men, has been resolved. The issue of another group is on the verge of being resolved, and good news will follow.”
He also reminded: “Of course, some artists have judicial sentences, and solving their issues is a bit more complicated, but a group of friends in the judiciary has given good news that we will be able to help solve this issue in the judicial sector as well. For example, one of the individuals who had been in detention and prison for some time, despite having a judicial sentence, was released this past Friday and was able to take leave. God willing, he will also be able to benefit from a pardon.”
Salehi emphasized: “We are making every effort to solve the bans that can be resolved with the help of the relevant authorities in this field. Some have already been resolved but in a non-public and quiet manner so as not to cause any repercussions. We are also seriously working on the remaining cases, and the issue of a number of artists is on the verge of being resolved.”
In another part of the conversation, in response to a question about the Tehran International Puppet Theater Festival, he described the festival as one of the most vibrant festivals in Iran, which is celebrating its 20th edition this year.
The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance pointed out: “We have had good experiences in the field of puppet theater. This year, around 380 works were submitted to the festival, and more than 40 pieces were selected. As far as I know, we have some excellent performances in this event.”
He described the space for artistic activities, including puppet theater, in the provinces as dynamic and vibrant, and referring to the performance “Torlan” from the city of Ardabil, which made it to the festival, he added: “Tonight, I attended the puppet theater performance from our friends in Ardabil with this perspective. It was a performance that was impressive both in terms of set design and decoration and in its combination of music and theater. It also had a very engaging subject and story, which shows that our puppet theater remains a living art.”
Salehi, while praising the participating groups in the Puppet Theater Festival and its organizers, added: “I congratulate all of them and express my gratitude. This festival will definitely be even better in the coming years.”
He explained the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance’s support programs for provincial theaters: “Provincial theaters are a national asset, and we must all strive to preserve them both in the center and in the provinces. I have often mentioned during my provincial trips with governors and those who plan the provincial budget that provincial theaters are part of the visual identity of each province and can greatly help in promoting the provinces, as a province is not defined solely by its geography and nature. These are divine blessings, but the human blessings that stem from these divine gifts are no less important.”
He continued: “When we see creative works and artistic spaces like the ‘Torlan’ performance, which combines music, history, and mythology from a province, we establish a multifaceted connection with the province. Surely, the esteemed governor of Ardabil and those involved in the province, such as the honorable representative of this province in the Parliament, pay attention to the fact that we can help each other focus on the history and myths of each province within the national context and dedicate all our efforts to achieving this. Of course, we understand all the challenges and limitations the country faces, as conditions are not easy, but we must move forward with all our might to strengthen the arts in the provinces.”
Salehi emphasized: “I firmly believe that the future of Iranian art lies in the provinces because there, we see a blend of various colors that will contribute to the diverse Iranian art.”
Regarding the impact of a performance like “Torlan,” which is related to Ashiq art, in reviving this art, the Minister said: “If we want to promote forgotten arts, part of this work can be done through theater. The Ashiq tradition will certainly be given attention in the western regions and other areas where this tradition is still alive.”
Salehi also discussed the necessity of introducing the next secretary of the Puppet Theater Festival: “At the end of every festival, the beginning of the next one should be announced to allow enough time for better preparation for the new edition. With the efforts of Mrs. Rezaei, the Deputy Minister of Arts, and her colleagues, this will certainly happen in the case of puppet theater.”
After watching the performance “Torlan” and speaking with reporters, the Minister visited the inclusive section of the Puppet Theater Festival at the City Theater Complex.
This special section for people with disabilities, who are under the supervision of the Welfare Organization, is being held. The head of this section, Fatemeh Fakhri, the head of the Arts Group at the Welfare Organization, provided explanations about the benefits of theater in enhancing the personal and social skills of people with various disabilities. The Minister of Culture also emphasized the need to expand the collaboration between the Ministry of Culture’s Arts Department and the Welfare Organization in order to benefit from the advantages of theater.
Additionally, Hassan Dadashkar, an experienced theater artist who was present at the theater workshop and among the individuals with disabilities, gave an explanation about the impact of theater on their lives and emphasized: “Let the Disabled Theater Festival continue, and the national TV should also support them because theater helps change society’s perception of people with disabilities and allows them to be more easily accepted in society.”
It is worth mentioning that figures such as Saeed Salarzahi, Mohammad Loqmanian, and others were also present at the performance of “Torlan.”
Alireza Alayi, the director of the performance, after the show, expressed his gratitude for the presence of the Minister of Culture and the Deputy Minister of Arts, saying: “Twenty years ago, we were part of the festival with Mr. Atabak Naderi, and tonight, we dedicate this performance to him and Mr. Touhid Masoumi.”
