Iran, Iraq to Sing Cultural MoU

In a meeting between Hamid Shahabadi, deputy culture minister for artistic affairs, Dashtgoli, acting DAC director, and Rahmat Amini, the secretary of the 30th Fadjr International Theater Festival with Safiq al-Mahdi, director of Iraq’s theater office earlier this month, both sides agreed to sign the MoU.
“Both side agreed to sign the memorandum of understanding to help participation of Iranian artists in Iraqi festivals and Iraqi artists in Iranian festivals as well as cultural exchange during 2012-2013,” Dashtgoli said.
“Deputy culture minister for artistic affairs also said nothing could help forge unity between nations like culture,” he added.
Dashtgoli said artists from both countries could establish a proper interaction due to Iran’s ancient culture.
The director added that the Iraqi official was satisfied with the meeting and expressed willingness to have cultural interaction with the Islamic Republic soon.
The Iraqi official also hoped the two countries cultural relationship would not be limited to dispatch of pilgrims to holy cities in Iran and Iraq and both sides strengthen cultural ties, Dashtgoli said.
He added Shafiq Al-Mahdi, who attended the 30th Fadjr International Theater Festival, said he was interested in Iran’s history.
Dashtgoli explained that Shafiq Al-Mahdi had been an Iraqi dissident during the tenure of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi dictator. He was forced to leave Iraq University in 1984 and continued his fights in other ways.
The 30th Fadjr International Theater Festival closed on February 11.