Iran Confab Marks Hafez Day

TEHRAN (Press TV) -- Iran has marked the national Hafez Day during a conference held to honor the memory of the 14th century mystic and Persian poet in the historical city of Shiraz.
The international conference hosts Iranian officials and poets as well as international scholars who gathered to pay tribute to the world-renowned Persian literary figure.
Great Indian scholars and philosophers such as Mahmoud Alam, Ali Ashraf khan and Azardokht Safari are among the international guests of the conference.
About 150 Hafez-inspired artworks such as are displayed on the sidelines of the event at the Persian poet's tomb in Shiraz, Mehr News Agency reported.
Born in 1315, Hafez is best known for his melodious sonnets and for intertwining a taste of Persian culture into his poetry.
Hafez has greatly influenced Persian and Western writers including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Goethe.
His poetry has also inspired many artists and musicians and his verse is recited during national occasions such as the Persian New Year (Nowruz).
The international Hafez Day conference kicked off on October 7, 2011 and will continue until October 12.


Algeria Hosts Iran Cultural Week

TEHRAN (Press TV) -- The 2011 capital of the Islamic culture, Tlemcen, hosts an Iranian cultural week in an attempt to introduce Persian art, culture, and cinema in Algeria.
A number of Iranian officials and artists attended the opening ceremony of the event along with Algeria's cultural scholars and officials on October7, 2011.
Veteran Iranian filmmaker Kioumars Pourahmad will hold Iranian film screening sessions during the cultural festival.
Iran-lovers will also get the chance to take part in cultural meetings with Algerian and Iranian experts and cultural figures, IRNA reports.
Organized by the Iranian embassy in Algeria and the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO), the project plans to present various Persian art forms such as calligraphy, sculpture, carpet, illumination and miniature.
The event will also hold several workshops as well as photo and cartoon exhibitions.
Iran also held a cultural week in Algiers in 2008, which was warmly received by Algerian people and officials.
Tlemcen is the center of music and art in Algeria. The city was elected as the capital of the Islamic culture for the year 2011 by the Islamic Educational, Science and Cultural organization (ISESCO).


Investing in Mental Health

TEHRAN ( IRNA) — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message on World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2011 while saying mental disorders are responsible for 13 percent of the global disease burden called for investing in mental health by governments and civil society.
According to a press release issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC) here on Sunday, the full text of his message reads:
“There is no health without mental health. Mental disorders are major contributors to illness and premature death, and are responsible for 13 percent of the global disease burden. With the global economic downturn – and associated austerity measures – the risks for mental ill-health are rising around the globe.
“Poverty, unemployment, conflict and war all adversely affect mental health. In addition, the chronic, disabling nature of mental disorders often places a debilitating financial burden on individuals and households. Furthermore, individuals with mental health problems – and their families – endure stigma, discrimination and victimization, depriving them of their political and civil rights and constraining their ability to participate in the public life of their societies.
“Resources allocated for mental health by governments and civil society are habitually too little, both in human and financial terms. Recent data from the World Health Organisation clearly show that the proportion of health budgets devoted to mental health is inadequate. Most low- and middle-income countries spend less than 2 per cent, and many countries have less than one mental health specialist per one million people.
“The theme of this World Mental Health Day is “Investing in mental health”. We cannot expect improvement in global mental health statistics unless we increase financial and other support for promoting mental health and providing adequate services to those who need them. Deaths, disability and distress caused by mental disorders need to find their rightful place in the public health agenda.
“Mental illnesses can be treated effectively. We have the knowledge. Feasible, affordable and cost-effective measures for preventing and treating mental disorders exist, and are being implemented, for example through WHO's Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP). However, if we are to move decisively from evidence to action, we need strong leadership, enhanced partnerships and the commitment of new resources. Let us pledge today to invest in mental health. The returns will be substantial.”


Music Pieces on Islamic Awakening Up for Production

TEHRAN ( IRNA) – Music works focusing on Islamic awakening will soon be produced, said director general of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry’s Music Office.
Talking to IRNA, Seyyed Mohammad Mirzamani added that the upcoming Fajr Music Festival will devote one of its sections to Islamic awakening.
The Islamic Awakening is a revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Muslim World. Since 18 December 2010, there have been uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt; a civil war in Libya resulting in the fall of its regime; civil uprisings in Bahrain and Yemen; major protests in the occupied Palestine against the Zionist regime, and also in Algeria, Jordan, Morocco and Oman, as well as minor protests in Kuwait, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia and Western Sahara.
Clashes at the borders of the occupied Palestine with occupying forces of the Zionist regime in May 2011 were also inspired by the Islamic awakening in the region.