Iran Smiles

Recreating the world miniature in EXPO 2000 is an endeavor to serve intercultural dialogue

Iran is rebuilding itself, this time in Hanover, Germany! Iran is not alone, some 190 other countries are doing that to be close neighbors for five months in the world exposition known as EXPO 2000. This issue’s cover story deals in detail with the subject of EXPO 2000 and its different aspects in terms of culture, environment and science.

But Iran’s participation in this year’s world exposition is a different story. For a country who took the initiative of “2001: Dialogue among Civilizations”, there couldn’t have been a better time and place to promote intercultural dialogue and the cosmopolitan views of its president. This campaign finds greater significance noting that EXPO 2000 focuses on “Humankind, Nature, Technology” as its theme which signifies an attempt to search for the missing link between perseverance, self-confidence and the supreme power of man to govern the world in which he lives.
The idea of dialogue among civilizations is in essence a humanitarian approach which will empower human beings to put aside their destructive contradictions and live a peaceful life bolstered by international understanding and solidarity. What Iran is struggling to achieve and establish is a balanced sustainability; an equilibrium between development and social justice which will allow human beings enhance the basis of their material and moral life at the start of the third millennium in an environment free from tension and conflict.
As a vast country with several hundred decades of history, Iran is going to present its interpretation on the following themes in EXPO 2000: Technology and culture; outcome of historical dialogue among nations; supremacy of man over technology leading to balanced sustainability; melody, color, nature and man; history and environment; and the role of oriental identity in the evolution of the history of civilization. All these are meant to indicate that Iran firmly believes human societies are inseparable parts of the same body. Moreover, the idea is to demonstrate Iran’s aim to enrich human intellect, thus helping him regain his self-confidence and manifest his inner capabilities. The role of color and light is no less important in the interaction between mankind and nature.
The time has come for man to look beyond technology and attach importance to his intellectual and cultural progress. Every effort made toward this objective will be a highly valuable heritage for the future generations.

The Pavilion: The subtlety of the themes to be demonstrated at the Iranian pavilion calls for greater designing work. Application has to be made of traditional architecture, light, music, painting, sculpture, cinema and theater. The Pavilion of the Islamic Republic of Iran is divided into two parts: 960 sq.m of cultural area and 450 sq.m of agricultural and commercial area.
The pavilion’s façade is designed in a way to imply the significance of water through an illustration of ancient bridges with admiring architecture. The pavilion’s northern wall offers images of historical monuments, ancient cities, agricultural and industrial capabilities of the country with captions in white boxes.
As for the interior design, the pavilion is divided into two cultural and commercial areas. The cultural area itself is divided into three sections: Pre-Islamic Iran, Post-Islamic Iran, and the Post-Revolution Iran. The first section takes the visitor to the giant ruins of Takht-e Jamshid glorious palace where very ancient implements and antiques are put to display to create a contrast with modern equipment. Next, there are historical sites of Yazd including streams, old cisterns, ventilation towers and Arg-e Bam.
The second section presents a model of the famous Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan by means of live images, genuine architecture and sound effects. Persian artifacts and handicrafts are placed in both sides of the square while reconstruction of many architectural and historical symbols gives the visitor a true feeling of the ambience of the world-famous Isfahan City.
A panorama screen is in the third section where a short film is featured on the political, social, cultural, economic and scientific developments of Iran in the past two decades. The 35-meter ramp at the end of this section directs the visitor to the commercial-agricultural area which presents the diverse geography and nature of Iran, with a focus on ‘water’ in correspondence with the EXPO 2000 themes.
Attempt has been made here to display the great geographical and climatic diversity of Iran by recreating the country’s famous mountains, plains and deserts as well as agricultural produce. A hexagonal monument is used to both demonstrate the ancient Persian architecture and show renowned Iranian products in different groups varying from caviar and saffron to leather and miniature.
Aside from all that is put to display in the pavilion, Iranians will be there to communicate, to talk and to listen to the visitors from different nations and cultures.
Together with 190 other countries, Iran will be there; smiling and staging its true colors of friendship in this show of the century.