‘Visiting Iran changed my perception’

Greek actor Panagiotis Bougiouris, who has taken part in the Iranian TV series ‘Salman the Persian’, says his trip to Iran has changed his perception of the country that was influenced by media.

“Before travelling to Iran, although I knew Iranian cinema well and knew that it has received many international awards and is one of the most important present cinemas of the world, my perception was that Iran is a country in the Middle East region. Well, we hear a lot of news about this region in the media that form our perceptions,” Bougiouris said during his meeting with Iran’s cultural attaché in Greece, Mehdi Nikkhah-Qomi.

However, I had realized that Iranians or Persians are culturally different from other countries in the region, the actor added.

During the meeting, Bougiouris congratulated Iranians on the Persian New Year (Nowruz) and said “My presence in Iran has made me familiar with Iran’s rich culture.”

The first day of the solar month of Farvardin, which falls on March 21 this year, marks the beginning of the Persian calendar year.

The Greek star described Nowruz as “a very beautiful festival”, noting that he was busy sending congratulatory messages on that occasion to Iranians with whom he became friend while he was filming his role in ‘Salman the Persian’.

He also expressed his admiration of Persian cuisine, saying he went to an Iranian restaurant in Athens on the eve of the Persian New Year and “enjoyed delicious Iranian food”.

Commenting on the TV series ‘Salman the Persian’, Bougiouris described it as a “very big project” and artistically “extraordinary”.

He noted that he met hard-working people who are at the same time very warm-hearted and humorous during the time that he spent in Iran to film his role in the show, adding “I wish the best for you and the people of Iran.”

The historical series is being directed by Davoud Mir-Baqeri and is still undergoing the production stage.

SQ/MG