Guest. New Acquaintance with the old Iran

- What does Iran represent for a tourist?
- Iran, with a civillization history of over 2500 years has a multitude of tourist and cultural sights which attract tourists.
The variety of geographical and climatic conditions of the vast territory of Iran allow to experience simulatneously the delights of four seasons of the year.
The Northern part of the country - Gilyan and Mazandaran provinces - charms with the green forests as in spring and the Caspian Sea coast, North-Western part - Azerbaijan and Kurdistan provinces - with the majestic mountains always covered in snow, splendid natural landscapes, Teheran, Isfagan, Kum, Kashan - central part of the country - with architectural and historical constructions; South and South-West of the country - with warm shores of the Persian Gulf, beautiful islands, fertile lands of Sistan and Belujistan which are known far from the borders of Iran.

Iran is attractive from the historical point of view. There are many historical pearls scattered throughout the immense territory of the country, which are masterpieces of architecture and ancient culture being evidence of existence throughout a many-thousand-year period of preislamic times and after its propagation. The caves of Stone Age, Zoroastrian temples of fire-worshippers, beautiful royal courts and majestic ruins of Persepolis - the capital of Akhemenides' state, mausoleums of poets with world names: Saadi and Khafiza, whose undying creations entered the world culture treasury and much more that can arouse keen interest in tourists.

Moreover, villages and small cities, where the traditional Oriental style of architecture and modernism are combined, are unique in their beauty. Big cities, such as Teheran, Isfagan, Tebriz, Meshkhed, Shiraz and others are remarkable for having developed industry alternating with ancient monuments - thousands of cupolas, national ceremonies, customs. They attract not only tourists but also scientists - researchers, historians, archaeologists, sociologists and geographers.

- You have been in Uzbekistan for quite a long time already. To what places of the country would you invite your friends or relatives, if you were a guide?
- If I played the role of a guide I would have described Uzbekistan to my relatives and friends as follows: a country buried in verdure, with generous people whode hearts are as pure as the sky is blue. Medicinal-fresh air, big trees the history of which, like the history of the country itself, is rooted in ancient times and makes up part of the history of Eastern civillization. Live evidence of this ancient history are cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Termez, Fergana, Andijan, kokand, namangan, Shahrisabz and others. Doubtlessly it is difficult to depict the full image of the cult of Eastern Medieval nobility (Ayyarun) without Khorezm and its pearl - the ancient and eternally young city of Khiva. It is impossible to judge the entire beauty of Persian language and literature without the sweet language of Samarkand and Bukhara. These cities were praised in all the Eastern legends and scriptures. Therefore, it is difficult to answer your question, which paradisical nook of Uzbekistan I would prefer.

- Which events in your life do you consider the most important?
- Every person's life consists of rises and falls. They remain in our memories in the form of sweet and sour remembrances and naturally form an essential part of our life. Birth of a child, meeting close people after a long parting, large succes in private and social life - all these are unforgettable events in our life. However, some of them are particluarly remarkable. For me these are my student years. I was the happiest man when I found myself in the temple of science. My best and most pleasant memories are related to these golden times. Especially the day when I received master's degree with distinction.

- How does the gesture language (pantomime) in Iran differ from the gesture language in Uzbekistan?
- Pantomime can be called a world-wide universal language. One does not need a translator when resorting to the help of this language. Besides, one does not have to expressly learn this language. However, same gestures may have completely different meanings in various nations. For example, when teh Uzbeks nod their heads upward - this signifies a request to repeat the said sentence - "I did not understand". Iranians use this gesture to express refusal. It is more convincing if an Iranian is rocking his head from side to side. At the same time, many Iranian and Uzbek gestures have same meanings. For example, placing a hand on the chest is an expression of respect. We wave a raised hand when greeting and parting. According to the postulates of Aristotle's logic this is the language of natural and inner sould condition. For instance, blushing when ashamed, trembling when very scared.

- You, as an Ambassador, are one of the easiest to access and communicate with compared with diplomats of other countries, at least for our magazine. What other unique qualities do you possess with which you can surprise our readers?
- Maybe, this due to the fact that I really like reading and respect journalists. As for my other unusual qualities, I must say that every person, especially if he is a diplomat, has uncommon abilities and advantages. For example, I stand out in fast reading. Often, i make right decisions having skimmed a text and my friends look at me astonished with distrust.

- What would you like your children to become in the future?
- The right choice of profession is the pledge for success in life. Just as the Most High God has gifted us with the right to choose our way in life, we also should not impede our children in choosing their profession. With the condition that preliminarily our children must have enough information about this or that path of socialy useful activity with which they wish to engage their life. I hope that by having fastered the right way of leading life in my children, having passed them my life experience, I helped them with the choice of the course of life. But, of course, the right to chose is always with them. I, personally, like scholastic activity and believe that the profession of a teacher is sacred. His Holiness Imam Homeyni, Allah bless him, has many interesting statements about a teacher.

- Tell us your secret of success?
- In my opinion, if some person considers himself successgul and perfect in everything, he is badly mistaken. Everyone of us has a number of undisclosed capabilities. A humans is content with just the little of these capabilities. If he just lifts the veil from the other part of them, he could enter history as a great person.
As for me, I must say that I could not open and utilise all my potential. Thus, I do not consider myself a succesfull man in everything. Saadi, a poet, used to say: "A human, perfecting himself, who has entered the divine world, sees how trifling the human world is compared to God". In general, I see the secret of my modest accomplishments in obeying my parents, respect to the elders and in my diligence.

- What perspectives do Uzbek businessmen have in Iran?
- The businessmen of Uzbekistan who had a trip to Iran tell a lot of intersting things about what they have seen. They say with emotion that they discovered a new world for themselves.
Iran has a good perspective for Uzbek entrepreneurs, investors and industrialists. There is a wide field of activity for both Uzbek consumers and manufacturers in various spheres of business, industry and investment. For instance, Iran has a good assortment of goods of food industry, packing, clothes, stationery, electric appliances, medical instruments, building materials and more. Iranian manufacturers of these spheres of activity reached such success that their goods sometimes go side by side with their analogues. And the prices sometimes make up one third of the cost of the same goods by European manufacturers.

- How much did your lifestyle change upon coming to Uzbekistan?
- My work is inseparable from my private life. Such is the element of diplomatic work, i.e. no matter where I am I always look for new opportunities for expanding and extending two-way communication. This is equally related to both the time when I was in Iran and other countries and now when I am in Uzbekistan. But still when I have some free time I try to be in the circle of my children and wife. I really like reading. Mostly, the books about life of oustanding people, memoires. I recommend the same to others. Books reflect the experience of great people grown wise with life that can be used well.

- What events promoting the popularization of culture of Iran are you planning to organize in the nearest future?
- I have encountered two occurrences upon coming to Uzbekistan. The first one is pleasant while the other is not so. The pleasant one is Uzbekistan's rich culture, kindhearted nation, a large number of commonness in the sphere of culture, norms and customs. The unpleasant one is Uzbek nation's deficient knowledge about the culture of Iran and lack of information among Iranians about traditions, norms and customs of Uzbeks, which, naturally, puts more responsibility on me.

Organization of sporting events, exhibitions, conferences related to culture, science and literature are just a few of the means for familiarizing two nationf of Eastern civillization with each other. The Uzbek nation looks admiringly at the culinary mastery, needlework, patterned embroidery, calligraphy, painting, music and sculpture of Iranian women. We were able to observe this last year during a reception on the occasion of 25^th anniversary of the victory of Islamic revolution in the Embassy, where a small exhibition of fine arts and calligraphy was held at the same time. This year we continued this tradition.

- Thank you Mr. Ambassador for the interesting conversation.