Uraman virtual exhibition underway

A virtual exhibition titled, ‘Uraman: Fringing the Skies,’ showcasing photographs taken by 35 photographers on the natural and social characteristics of Uraman district in the western province of Kurdestan is underway.

Organized by the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, the exhibition features superb photographs from nature, ancient architecture, everyday life, rituals such as Pirshalyar and Palangan ceremonies.

Pirshalyar, which is named after a legendary local figure, is among time-honored celebrations and rituals that are practiced annually across the region.

Addressing the exhibition, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO Hojatollah Ayoubi said the event is in line with the global registration of Uraman, which is regarded as ‘heaven in disguise’.

Ayoubi added that we intended to hold the exhibition before the visit of Hessam Mahdi, the representative of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), but the necessary preparations were not made.

Mahdi said, “Given that I had seen the exhibition’s photographs in advance of my visit to the site, I would have thought the pictures were made by Photoshop, but now I would say that the event is only part of Uraman’s grandeur.”

Ayoubi added, “When other UNESCO assessors visit the landscape, public opinion about the site would be of high significance for them.”

“Iranian artists, with eloquent language and expressive image talked about the beauty of the landscape. We are happy that despite the cancelation of some cultural programs, we tried to hold virtual events on arts and culture in the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO,” Ayoubi said.

Iran submitted a dossier for the Uraman cultural landscape to the UN body in 2019, to be inscribed on‌ the World Heritage list. About 80 experts in various fields compiled and developed the dossier in terms of anthropology, archeology and history, natural sciences, architecture, historical documents, and other related fields.

Uraman (mostly known as Uraman Takht), a small but very unique village at the foot of the Zagros Mountains, has been considered the cradle of Kurdish arts and culture from the days of yore.

Extended on a lofty slant in the Uraman Takht provincial region of Sarvabad area, the town is home to thick and step-like rows of houses in a manner that the top of each house shapes the yard of the upper one, an element that adds to its appeal and allure.

Source: Iran Daily