THE

THE CULTURE
CULTURE OF
OF
IRAN
Music
Art
Literature
 OCCASIONS
- Weddings
- Dance pieces
MUSIC -
-
Love songs
Lullabies
- Prehistoric era - Celebrations
- The Sasanian period

- Known as “Islamic Civilization“

- Can be linked with classical music

- Clear-cut melodies and rhythm, so

improvisation are not much
emphasise
CHARACTERIZATION
- Western popular rhythm
- Mostly Western instruments
- Ensembles
TOP 3 MOST COMMON INSTRUMENTS
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-Art-
The Persian Rug
- More than 2,500 years ago
- Purpose: cover the floors of nomadic tribesmen
( giving them protection from the cold and damp.)
- Oldest rug found: “Knotted Carpet,” Pazyryk valley

Afshar rugs Bakhtiari Sarouk

ARCHITECTURE
- Evolution of Achaemenian
architecture
- Well-known in Pasargadae,
north of Persepolis GATEHOUSE
- Nomadic Encampment
- Widely separated buildings RESIDENTIAL PALACE

AUDIENCE HALL
 Criterion of
Achaemenian Architecture
 Apadana
- Column Halls
- Corner, straight towers
- External colonnades
- Stone
building
Tom
b of
- Base made
Cyr
into steps
us
- Triangular
Roof
Zoroastrian Fire Temple (Zendan)
- Tower-like Structure
- Rectangular Shape
- Brick
- Rule: human or animal figures - Well-known for pottery works
- Outdoor decoration - Religious aspects -> avoiding
sculptures
Darband Mountaineer
Magr
ad itte’s
shh ‘The
Ma Heal
h in er’
er Sha
f Nad
tue o
Sta

Sculpture
 Persian Literature
- One of the world's oldest literatures

- New Persian or Modern Persian or Farsī is an official language of Iran

-Influenced the literatures of Ottoman Turkey, Muslim India and Turkic

Central Asia
 Pre-Islamic Classical Persian
Literature Literature
- 522–486 BC - Influence of Arabic terminology,
- Oral society ideas, and descriptive conventions
- Most of the products do not remained very strong until the 20th
survived to present day century.
- Purpose: - Most of the time: Arabic
- prestige in royal *But still use Persian
inscriptions
- practical purposes of
administrative
- economics
First text: Persian version of the
great inscription of Darius I at
Bisotun
 Modern Persian Literature
-19th century
-Increasingly widespread use of the printing press in Iran
-

-Government's attempt to simplify the language

-Adopted from: Western languages and literatures
Iran Traditions
 Holiday (3)
11 February -the anniversary of
Islamic revolution celebrated
toward the Azadi Tower. The
political celebration held on the
last day of celebration that is
called the Ten Day of Down.
 Oil nationalization Day
20th March - Oil Nationalization Day is recognized
the day in 1951 when the member of Iranian
parliament voted to nationalize the oil industry in
the country. This gives the positive benefits to
Iran because the monopoly is over
Islamic Republic Day
It is a national and a
public holiday in Iran.
The day is registered
as the anniversary of
the 1979 establishment of
the Islamic Republic and
celebrated by people.
 Festival (4)
Jashne Sade -A
midwinter feast to honor
fire and to defeat the
forces of darkness. People
will gather around to
build a fire. They can
receive the good things
from the fire and for
giving fire to the
incompleteness
NowRuz
-Now means new
Ruz means starting a
new day

-It is the celebration of

the start of spring. It will
start on the first day of
spring and also the first
day of Iranian Calendar.
 Mehregan
A day of thanksgiving. It
is the day which
everyone show the love
they have for each other.
It is one of the most
important day in Iran
 Shabe Chelle
It is the turning point which is
the end of the longest night of
(darkness) the year. It also the
beginning of growing of the
days (Light). It is the celebration
of Good over Evil. They will have
the special nuts for the night.
The Wedding Ceremony
For Iranian, Wedding ceremony is
the important event. In the past,
the parents and the older
members of the family arranged
almost marriages. This is still the
same case in the traditional
families. In modern family, they
will choose their own mate.
However, their parent consent is
considered as very important.
Once both sides of the parent
agreement, the marriage will be
announced.
Social Customs
 Apparel
Women Men
-Head scarf, hijab -T-shirt and pants
-Recommended cover shoes, -Shorts and flip-flops are
any blouse that run below not allowed
the waistline
Headscarf is Required
 Social Etiquettes
-Physical contact such as kiss and hug were
forbidden between genders

- Only men kisses men and women kisses women.

-Except for children and family members

Social Etiquettes
If you were offered something, such as
sweets, always refused first until the
person who offered insist in giving.
Social Etiquettes
DON’T
-Give someone a thumbs up (Offensive)
-Engage in public display of affection
(Couple)
-Blow your nose in public (Impolite)
Iranian Cuisine
Foods
● Due to the range of culinary traditions across the Iranian
provinces, food in Iran is extremely diverse.

● Food in Iran is hygienically safe, clean, healthy, and nutritious.

● Iranian food tends to be colourful, healthy, mild (not spicy) and

simple.

● Taste is added via herbs, light spices, and fruits.

Chelow Kebab (rice served with roasted meat)

Khoresht (stew served Iranian rice)

Kuku (vegetable soufflé)

Polo (rice alone or with addition of meat and/or vegetables and herbs)
Water and soft drinks
● ‘Doug’ is a very popular salty yogurt drink adding cucumber and
mint leaves
Iranian Desserts
● Date palms and nuts are common ingredients.
● Iranians usually eat sweet food and desserts only on proper occasions.
● Iranians serve fruit bowl to welcome guests after lunch, tea or dinner