The Cultural Year 2025: A Turning Point in Iran–Turkey Relations
Seyyed Abbas Salehi, Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, in a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, said: “Relations between Iran and Turkey in the political, economic, and cultural fields are broad and deep, and the two nations are regarded not merely as neighbors but as members of the same family.”
Referring to the “Iran–Turkey Cultural Year 2025,” he added: “This event can serve as a turning point in enhancing the cultural and social relations of the two countries. Although some opportunities were lost due to regional circumstances, with serious planning in the remainder of this year and the beginning of next year, many initiatives can still be pursued within this framework.”
Salehi, emphasizing the place of Mawlana (Rumi) in the shared heritage of Iran and Turkey, proposed holding a “Mawlana Festival” in Iran to coincide with the possible visit of the President of Turkey to Tehran. He said: “This festival can, in addition to showcasing past works, mark the beginning of new programs in poetry, music, theater, and cinema related to Mawlana.”
He also spoke of the idea of the “Shams and Mawlana Route,” adding: “The path from Khoy to Konya can be defined as a cultural and literary tourism axis and even be inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List.”
The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance stressed the necessity of establishing a joint cultural committee between the two countries and said: “A comprehensive program of cultural exchanges can complement previous agreements and pave the way for new cooperation in areas such as books, international exhibitions, and reciprocal participation as ‘Guest of Honor.’”
Pointing to Iran’s publishing capacity, Salehi stated: “Last year, more than 110,000 book titles were published in the country, two-thirds of which were first editions. A portion of these works could be attractive to libraries and publishers in Turkey.”
Later in the meeting, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Turkey’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, also emphasized the importance of the Cultural Year 2025, saying: “Iran and Turkey have deep-rooted and intertwined relations, and culture holds a special place in these interactions. Although 2025 began with regional crises, with the reduction of tensions we can seize new opportunities to strengthen cooperation.”
Referring to the “Cultural Route Festivals” held in Turkey, Ersoy said: “This year, these festivals are being held in 20 cities with the participation of more than 45,000 artists, and Iran’s participation can enrich them further.”
Ersoy also considered Iran’s proposal regarding the Khoy–Konya route important, noting that the project could be implemented with the cooperation of the Konya Municipality and local administrations. He further described holding joint programs on the occasion of the 1500th anniversary of the birth of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) as a valuable initiative.
At the conclusion of the meeting, a commemorative stamp for the “Iran–Turkey Cultural Year 2025” and the program “Night of Commemoration of Hafez Shirazi,” initiated by Iran’s Cultural Counsellor in Turkey, were unveiled.
