Coronavirus spread stops cultural events in Iran

Iran has called off all art, cultural and cinematic events across the country in an attempt to stop coronavirus’ (COVID-19) spread.

Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance canceled the events until Friday.

“Following strict health advice in the current situation to protect society’s health condition, all art and film events are canceled nationwide until Friday,” the ministry stated on Saturday.

The statement also noted that “it is obvious that the cancelation will be extended in case the condition continues”.

The cancelation includes all theater performances and film screenings, as well as concerts and other artistic public events.

The organizers of the 17th edition of the Image of the Year Celebration, currently underway at the Iranian Artists Forum, have also announced that the event’s film screening program has been postponed until Friday.

In addition, the 12th Fajr Festival of Visual Arts has postponed its closing ceremony, which was slated for Friday.

“Spotlight on Italian Cinema”, a weeklong Italian film program, which opened at the Iranian Artists Forum in Tehran on Thursday, has also been postponed.

Moreover, the 33rd Tehran International Book Fair announced that it has suspended China’s presence following the new coronavirus epidemic.

On Saturday, the number of people diagnosed with the coronavirus in Iran increased to 43, of whom eight have so far have died.

Coronavirus appeared first in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December and has since spread globally. The World Health Organization has declared it a global health emergency.

MG/AG