Organized by the Croatian non-governmental organization, Children for the Better Future, the event was attended by Iranian Ambassador to Zagreb Parviz Esmaeili, Samobor’s mayor and members of the City Council, as well as a group of the elite students of the city, IRNA reported.
Underlining Iran as one of the most significant and pioneer civilizations in science and art throughout history, Esmaeili said, “The human’s first attempts to make an artificial eye were made in the [ancient city of] Shahr-e Sukhteh in southeast Iran some 5,000 years ago, while the Academy of Gondishapur is the first-ever university to be established, dating back some 17 centuries. While the first samples of the animation art were found on the potteries unearthed in the Shahr-e Sukhteh – a historic fact verified by numerous cultural institutes, namely the UNESCO.”
Esmaeili also referred to the unique diversity of the country’s climate, adding, “The population of 85 million in Iran includes different ethnicities, languages, clothing, and lifestyles, making the country a popular destination for foreign tourists.”
The Iranian envoy described Farsi as one of the “oldest and most eloquent languages”, which has made its mark on the culture and literature on many countries, while adding some 3,000 Croatian words have Farsi origins.
Leo Petrov, the head of Children for the Better Future NGO, hailed the occasion as a perfect opportunity for the Croatian children to get to know other nations and cultures, contributing to “a coherent vision and sense of collaboration with the international community among the Croatian citizens.”
Pieces of Iranian musical instruments, setar, daf, and santoor were performed by the Croatian students at the event, while the winners of the painting contest and a quiz about Iran were awarded by the Iranian ambassador.