Glimpses of Iran In selecting the 80 works of Iranian photographers which are presented in this Exhibition, I was astounded by the perception, maturity and sophistication that is revealed in these works. By recording through their cameras, images of everyday life but also important aspects of cultural or historical importance, reflect the intricacies of the soul of their nation while exposing to us the beauty and wealth of its rich and ancient culture.

In recent years, we have become acquainted with the impressive achievements of Iranian film directors. Through their films, the world has come to know the richness of their culture that had been thought of distant and mysterious. Those filmmakers presented themes and images using the medium in a simple and straightforward manner which succeeded in bringing their country closer to the world and enabled the rest of us to feel pleasure by the encounter.

The aesthetic quality in the works of Iranian filmmakers however is not a unique phenomenon.Photography, a relative art by its nature, appears to have been equally advanced in a society that has deep traditions in creative,visual areas.

Photography communicates more immediately than any other art form. It reaches its viewer instantly, transmitting its message in the most direct way. In the case of the Iranian photographers, this communication becomes a profound, reverberating experience. Their works convey more than mere images. They grasp evocative and powerful instances in the lives of a people that will firmly rest imprinted in our memory, creating deep, emotional, long lasting impressions.

Dimitri Eipides
New Horizons, Director
Thessaloniki Intl Film Festival