Iran opens calligraphy museum in Tehran

Tehran Beautification Organization (TBO) has opened a calligraphy museum in the Iranian capital city.

Inaugurated on August 19, the museum puts some collections of calligraphy masterpieces on paper, parchments, tiles, potteries, rings, seals and engravings among other forms and materials on display.

TBO, affiliated to Tehran Municipality, started building the museum two years ago.

The building site, dating back to the 1950s, is now restored and refurbished into a permanent museum of fine calligraphy works.

The organization buys historical buildings of architectural and cultural significance to help maintain the identity of the city.

Head of TBO Issa Alizadeh attended the inauguration ceremony and said, “We were fortunate to have the support of artists and enthusiasts who introduced us to valuable calligraphy collections.”

He also noted that the museum is adorned with works by prominent Iranian artists, including the late master calligrapher Abdollah Foadi.

The head also added that approaching the opening day, it dawned upon the organizers that it is just the beginning of a long way and the museum should become the most essential source of research and study on calligraphy.

Qazvin Calligraphy Museum was the only major reference for the art in Iran before the new opening.

Head of International Council of Museums (ICOM) in Iran Seyyed-Ahmad Mohit-Tabatabai said, “Inauguration of a calligraphy museum in Tehran, principally in a historical building, is a major improvement that shows cultural growth of the country.”

The permanent Calligraphy Museum of Iran is situated on Fouladvand Dead-end, southern end of Shariati Street.

MG/MG