The second plaque, conferred on poet, writer, literary and art critic Javad Mojabi, 77, was installed at his house in Tehran on Saturday.

The first plaque was given in mid-May to renowned surrealist painter Iran Darroudi, 80, and was placed at his residence in District 6, ISNA reported.

A plaque is an ornamental tablet, typically of metal, porcelain, or wood, that is fixed to a wall or other surface in commemoration of a person or event.

An initiative of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO), it celebrates cultural and natural heritage, including intangible heritage.

Under the initiative, a series of commendation tablets will be installed on the residences of contemporary artists, literati and religious figures. The tablet bears the names of the personality, their profession and other particulars.

“The program will give the city a vibrant character, making the homes of distinguished personalities distinct from one another,” Mojabi said in the ceremony held for the mounting of the tablet at his residence.

“A few years ago, I wrote an article, saying that living figures are part of a country’s cultural heritage. Things should not necessarily belong to the past to be included in cultural heritage.”

According to the head of ICHHTO’s public relations office, Pouria Souri, the next eternal tablet will be dedicated to late poet Qeysar Aminpour (1959-2007) whose house is in the capital’s Bagh-Feyz neighborhood. Another one will be installed on an old house in Gotvand city, Khuzestan Province, where the poet spent his childhood.

Nasser Masoudi, 82, the oldest known living singer of Gilaki, a branch of Caspian language is also to be honored. Masoudi’s house is in Rasht, capital of Gilan Province.

Living Cultural Treasures

The plaque program was implemented in the framework of UNESCO 2003 Convention for safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.

It appreciates the living cultural treasures and seeks to identify and introduce contemporary figures who have contributed to the art and culture of their respective countries.

The houses thus marked with the plaques will be easier to spot among other residential units. A total of 50 cultural figures have been identified in Tehran. Their houses are to be adorned with the plaques by the end of June.

Source: Financial Tribune