A statue in Persepolis, Fars province

TEHRAN, Nov. 14--About 90 percent of archeological sites in Pakistan and Iran have been plundered and artifacts are currently being sold in London and other centers of cultural heritage, said a senior British archeologist.
Studies conducted by Robin Cunnigham, a professor of Bradford University, indicate that Pakistan's artifacts dating back to between 500 BC and 400 AD were plundered by bandits, ISNA reported.
"This is while Iran's historical pieces from 3000 BC to 500 AD have also been plundered," he added.
Internet news sources further announced that Cunnigham has concluded extensive research on archeological sites in Pakistan and Iran in cooperating with Peshawar and Tehran universities.
The project was sponsored by British Royal Geography Society, British Institute of Iranian Studies and the British Academy.
The research team discovered 18 new archeological sites belonging to first millennium BC in Hindu Kush region.
They also came across more than 120 new archeological sites that date back to 8,000 years ago on Tehran plains.

TEHRAN, Nov. 14--A bust weighing 10 kilograms belonging to the Sassanid era and dating back to 1,700 years ago, has been unearthed in the ancient city of Bishapour.
According to Cultural Heritage News agency, experts engaged in the project to explore Bishapour, which is recognized as the bride among the Sassanid era cities, said that while restoring the forts of the city, they came across the bust along the Qanemieh-Kazeroun road, which divides the city into two sections.
Commenting on the significance of the artifact, director of the project, Mosayyeb Amiri, said that the unique sculpture depicts a human head, whose beard is similar to that of the people living in the Achaemenid era.
"Nose, eyes and forehead of the bust resemble to those of the people of the Sassanid era," he noted.
Surveys reveal that the sculpture does not resemble the appearance of any king or commanders of the Sassanid era, he noted.
Noting that the white-colored bust, which is made of plaster, has been broken up into two from across its nose. Studies by archeologists and experts indicate that the bust is typical of the classical art prevalent in Sassanid era, he noted.
He further noted that other similar sculptures have been identified in the excavations conducted in ancient sites of Paikouli and Kish in Iraq.
The bust is currently maintained in Bishapour's treasury and experts are scheduled to conduct studies on it in the coming weeks.
According to Amiri, the bust is not part of a full statue and was used as a decorative object.
Bishapour was the most important city in the Sassanid era, which was built during the reign of Shapour I.
Significant works found in the excavations in the ancient city include Anahita Temple, Formalities Hall, Walerin Palace.
Bishapour city is located in Kazeroun, Fars province.

Mohammad Ali JamalzadehÕs Bust in Tehran University

TEHRAN, Nov. 14--Member of the Board of Trustees of Heritage of Iranian Author Mohammad Ali Jamalzadeh has announced that the first ceremony to present the Jamalzadeh literary award will be held next year.
Dr. Shekarchi-zadeh said that the award ceremony will be held on the birth anniversary of the author.
He told the Persian daily Aftab, "In the past years, we put forward a proposal to award those who have earned master degrees in the Persian language and literature abroad as well as those holding doctorate in this field."

TEHRAN, Nov. 14--Prominent Iranian composer Shahin Farhat will compose a symphony for Hazrat-e Zahra (SA), the beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Speaking to ISNA, he said that a non-governmental organization (NGO) advocating women's causes had asked him to compose a symphony for Hazrat-e Zahra (SA) and after a while, they withdrew their order.
He said that after the completion of the symphony of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Imam of Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) infallible household, he decided to compose a symphony on Hazrat-e Zahra (SA).
He noted that symphonies should be composed on the heroes of Islam and hoped that the National Music Center under Ministry of Culture and the Islamic Guidance would welcome Imam Reza (AS) symphony. He further hoped that he would receive assistance in performing the symphony at the earliest.

Khajou Bridge in Isfahan

TEHRAN, Nov. 14--An agreement to link Isfahan and Saint Petersburg as sister cities has been signed between the governor of Russia's second largest city, Valentina Maltvienko and the mayor of the Iranian city, Morteza Saqaeian-Nejad.
Based on the 8-article contract, the two sides agreed to make optimum use of the economic, scientific, technical and cultural potentials of the two countries in line with developing amiable relations.
The contract stipulates cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, development of economic, commercial collaborations, implementation of various industrial projects of mutual interest, expansion of cooperation between the tourism agencies and commercial exhibitions, sports teams and scientific and technical institutes in the two cities.
Maltvienko said before the ceremony to sign the contract that the two cities have numerous cultural and historical commonalities. "Given the successful cooperation between Isfahan and Saint Petersburg prior to the agreement, we have decided to conclude a deal to the effect," she said.
She pointed out that Saint Petersburg is not only an industrial and cultural city, but a political city as well.
"Not to mention that it has remarkable potentials and economic facilities, which have attracted considerable foreign capitals," she said.
In view of Saint Petersburg's experience regarding the establishment of urban railway system, it will forward some proposals on Isfahan's metro projects, she noted.
For his part, Saqaeian-Nejad referred to the numerous commonalities between the two cities and said that the contract will herald a new era of cooperation between the two sides.

KERMAN, Nov. 14--An official with Baft Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department, Mohammad-Ali Tajpour here Saturday announced that the remains of a 1,000-year-old mosque have been unearthed in Abdar area in Raber Township near the town of Baft, Kerman province.
He told IRNA that ancient mounds are the only trace of the mosque and added that a tablet carved on the mountain stones prove the antiquity of the monument. According to him the tablet is in Kufi script and was written exactly 1,000 years ago.
"The tablet was submitted to Kerman province Museum of Stone-Carved Tablets at Jabalieh Dome to be examined and safeguarded, he concluded."

PARIS, Nov. 14--The art works of a number of Iranian photographers are being showcased at the Eighth Paris International Photography Exhibition in Louver Museum which opened on Thursday November 11, reported IRNA.
One hundred and five art works from 16 countries are on display at 92 galleries of Louver Museum. The photos of Iranian photographers depict various concepts including social and cultural and humorous. Besides some of the photographs manifest the lifestyle of Iranian women and Iran's nature. The small gallery, where the ancient and modern photos of Iranian artists are on show, measures 35 square meters. One of the Iranian photographers attending the expo who is also in charge of Iran's 'Silk Road' pavilion, Minou Saber, complained that the gallery is too small.
"The photographs on display at 'Silk Road' pavilion were warmly welcomed by visitors and many of the works were sold," she added.

TEHRAN, Nov. 14--The Council of Books for Children will celebrate the birth anniversary of the well-known Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, the author of the 'Ugly Duckling', on April 2 by organizing a contest.
The contest will be held in three sections--illustration, message and research article--by children, authors, illustrators, and researchers.
The contest will be held for children in illustration and content. Children and young adults within the ages of three and 16 can illustrate one of Andersen's stories on a cardboard and take part in the contest.
The children and young adults with good handwriting can write a letter, a poem or a story to Andersen and forward it to the secretariat of the contest. Selected illustrations will be displayed for five days at Iran Artists House from April 4 and handwritings if the children will be printed at 'Speaking Doll Monthly', the Persian daily Hamshahri reported.
Applicants should send their work to the secretariat of Andersen festival at No 69, Vahid Nazari St., Abu Reyhan Street, Enqeleb Avenue. P.O. Box 13313-145, Tehran.