I saw Iran with my own eyes; people smile here.

Raimondo Schiavone
Translated by: Natalie Haghverdian

2015-9-6

One week in Iran? When friends figured that I’ve decided to travel to Iran they questioned my decision as if I was going to war and they warned me to be careful and take care of myself. These warnings were based on the assumptions of people in the western countries who are exposed to American and Israeli intelligence groups. Of course, Iran that once was the empire of Pars is dealing with its own problems and the Islamic government is imposing restrictions that are not always welcomed by people and especially young population. However, Iran is not an unusual country and it has experience good economic development and has happy and sociable young population. One might say that the power of this nation is in their smile and warm hidden hospitality. Its historical monuments and magnificent architecture, gardens, tombs of famous people and poets are beautiful. However, all this beauty without the warm presence of this inquisitive and hospitable people means nothing. In Yazd, the city of desert constructed by mud, drinking water is provided from the mountains through and engineered system and underground canals and Zoroastrian temples show off alongside mosques. In Dowlat-Abad Garden I asked a young student girl that if it is more difficult for women to find a job than men and she said: “It has nothing to do with the gender but with vocational skills and ability.” In response to another question about Hijab she said that she has willingly accepted and likes it. Hijab is of great value. Young people are free and they socialize on their free time. Parks and green spaces are filled with trees are attractive places for young people and couples are safe and happy there. They are shy but they live simple and full of energy. Green areas and parks are popular places for Iranians to interact and rest and too meet and cook and eat together. It is impossible to pass by one of these gatherings and they don’t offer you a cup of tea and pastry. Iranians are pretty found of socializing and they speak different languages like English, French, and Spanish. You can hardly find a young Iranian who is not familiar with English language. Despite extended presence in the parks, these areas are clean and organized and people consider them to be their home. Life continues in every corner: some are eating, some are cooking and some others are busy with love; in other words these areas are big open hotels where residents observe and adhere to the rules of coexistence. In Shiraz, life flow is normal. Young people are seen in the streets, restaurants and malls and once again their significant characteristic emerges and that is their socialism. It shall be said that comparing Iranian boys and girls, girls are more sociable and if you take the scarf away they are similar to their counterparts in Milan or Cagliari.  Daily activities of young people in this country are no different than those in western countries. There is no police or control and no danger is felt. Everything progresses in peace. There is no problem for a western tourist and our group toured the cities in this country like any other country. What impressed us in this country was looking at this civilized nation so observant of the rules and in order to avoid being buried under the law they interpret it. They told me that here like some of the cities in Sardinia Island where I come from young people have parties at home. There are not many public recreation areas and laws shall be observed. Here the question is: why do we think that our lifestyle is correct? Is our consumption lifestyle and pattern of relations correct enough to give us the opportunity to experience life fully? Each of us can give the answer suitable for ourselves. But talking about freedom we shall have a precise definition of it. Is an Iranian young person free or a young person from New York? What restrictions each and every one of them are exposed to? The external restrictions are those exposed by a regime like the Iranian government or restrictions are imposed to youngsters resulting from globalization?

Isfahan: Naqsh-e Jahan Square is where the real Iran is.

Isfahan is one of the most beautiful cities in the world of Islam and is a valuable treasure. Magnificent Imam square which is actually called Naqsh-e Jahan Square was built over 300 years ago by the order of Shah Abbas Safavid for polo games. This square might be perceived as the city center and full example of glory in the past and the court of Persian kings. Naqsh-e Jahan Square is the second in rank considering its area in the world and since long in the past it has been a place for daily recreation of people of Isfahan. Real Iran is different from the image we have in mind. Highly organized and clean parks filled with flowers and trees rising along the margin of the desert astonish the observer. Walking in the streets at night in streets of Isfahan is nice and there is no sense of danger. People welcome tourists in the alleys and streets and inquisitively start a conversation and speak of different topics from policy to religion. Some ancient monuments were left on their own up to twenty years ago and now they are rehabilitated and regained their beauty. At global level, Iran is of great touristic value. The details of such monuments are not random and there are detailed calculations to leave an impressive image in the mind of the tourist. We learn an amazing lesson from the country of Barbarians. Here, unlike Italy, historical heritage are not left to themselves and are considered as a community treasure and invaluable and are guarded and constantly rehabilitated. Of course here is the religious government imposing special rules on the society which are being observed, at least apparently. However, strong presence of Islam in the society is not a barrier for peaceful coexistence of all religions. In Isfahan, there are followers of other religions of which we can name 15000 Jews* and 8000 Armenians. It is difficult to interact with Jews but still we can go to their synagogue. Armenians have their newspaper which is printed in their own language and have churches. One of the main churches is Vank Cathedral** which is odd to see in an Islamic country. It can be said that Armenians live in a type of cultural submission however no significant restrictions are imposed to their religious practices. The cathedral is used on occasions and it is an important holy venue in Isfahan where Muslims visit it too.

Note: This report was printed in two different Italian newspapers and Mr. Ahmad Jafari, Press Attaché of the Embassy of Iran in Italy has collected it here in one peace.

* Population of the Jews in Isfahan is one thousand and five hundred and the Armenians are approximately twenty thousand (anthropology and culture).

** Vank Cathedral is used for religious ceremonies over the years (anthropology and culture)