Sierra Leone hopes to raise millions of dollars for development projects by auctioning a huge uncut diamond, believed to be one of the world’s largest, in New York in December. It will be the government’s second attempt to sell the 709-carat (142-gram) gem, known as “Peace Diamond”, after it rejected the highest bid of $7.8 […]

An exhibition of 200 photos from Iran’s tourist attractions taken by Turkish photographers opened in Ankara, Turkey, on Oct. 24. The event marks the 40th foundation anniversary of Ankara Photographers Association (AFSAD), IRNA reported. A total of 21 photographers captured the sights during their seven-day journey to Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz. During their trip, […]

16A floor mosaic from one of Roman Emperor Caligula’s opulent private ships, which was stolen after World War Two, is on its way back to Italy from the US where it has been recovered from a private collection. The 1st century AD marble, serpentine and porphyry mosaic came from one of Caligula’s ceremonial vessels, which […]

TEHRAN – “Release from Heaven” by Iranian director Ali Nuri Oskui was crowned best animation at the Fort McMurray International Film Festival in Canada last Sunday. The acclaimed film is about a female writer and teacher, who accompanies two of her students on an inner spiritual journey in a war-torn country. The Animation Day in […]

TEHRAN – Iranian director Kazem Mollai’s drama “Kupal” was selected as best foreign-language film at the Weyauwega International Film Festival, the organizers of the American event announced last week. Starring Levon Haftvan, the film tells the story of a hunter and a taxidermist called “Dr. Ahmad Kupal”. On the last day of the year, just […]

TEHRAN – Spanish architect Jose Maria Simon showcased a collection his photos depicting the glory of Persian and Islamic architecture in an exhibition at the University of Almeria in his country. The beautiful tiles and geometric motifs used in the religious and civil structures of Iran were highlighted in the exhibit “Fascinating Persia, Beauties of […]

Iranian Culture Week is slated to be held in Montevideo, Uruguay, later in November. The cultural event is slated to be held November 20-24 with the cooperation of the Iranian embassy and the Universidad de la República (UdelaR) in the Uruguayan capital. Art in ancient Iran, Iranian cinema, Iranian lifestyle in certain eras, Iranian carpet, […]

TEHRAN – Thirteen films have been selected to compete in the 3rd CineIran Festival in Toronto, Canada, the organizers announced on Tuesday. “Ferrari” by Alireza Davudnejad will go on screen at the opening ceremony of the festival on Friday, while “Subdued” by Hamid Nematollah will be screened at the closing ceremony on November 19. “No […]

TEHRAN – The Spanish singer and songwriter Enrique Iglesias has extended his sympathy to the victims of the powerful earthquake that hit regions in Iran and Iraq on Sunday night. “Everyone please send your love, thoughts and prayers to those suffering from the earthquake in Iran and Iraq,” the singer said in a message posted […]

TEHRAN – Iranian artists have announced that they would organize various programs to help the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit the western Iranian region of Kermanshah on Sunday. The powerful earthquake killed at least 450 people and injured thousands. The Kurdish band Tarang plans to perform a benefit concert in Tehran to aid […]