The World Takes Pride in Iran’s Heritage Keepers

At the opening of the ceremony, the Governor of Kerman emphasized the importance of the Lut Desert’s inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in showcasing the province’s natural, historical, and cultural assets. He described the inscription as a valuable opportunity to develop tourism, boost economic activity, and further promote Kerman at the national and international levels.

Speaking next, Dr. Hassan Fartousi, Secretary-General of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO, highlighted Iran’s civilizational standing in the world, stating: “Today, if the world takes pride in Iran and its people, it is not merely because they have preserved a valuable and progressive culture over many centuries, but also because they continue to safeguard this cultural heritage, faithfully following in the footsteps of their worthy ancestors. These values are of great significance to the world today.”

He added that the Lut Desert bears witness to how, for centuries, people across every corner of our beloved Iran have embodied the qualities of the desert: sincerity of purpose and resilience.

Referring to an experience from his recent official mission to UNESCO in Paris, the Secretary-General of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO said that representatives of several countries had been astonished to learn that, during the Third Imposed War, the number of people entering Iran had exceeded the number leaving the country. He noted that this reflected the Iranian people’s deep love for their homeland.

He continued: “If you love Shahdad and Kerman, it means that you love Iran. This love of country is the very virtue that has brought us together tonight. It reminds us that throughout history, this land has nurtured great figures and distinguished personalities, from Imamzadeh Mohammad and Imamzadeh Zayd to Shah Nematollah Vali, Khwaju Kermani, Owhadi Kermani, and Bayazid Bastami, all of whom have been recognized as figures of global renown.”

The Global Significance of Kerman’s Distinguished Figures

Referring to the prominent figures from Kerman Province, Fartousi said that officials were planning to hold a commemorative event in honour of the province’s distinguished personalities. He added that the people of Kerman and their ancestors had given the world and humanity many great figures.

The Secretary-General of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO continued by saying that this region would continue to contribute extraordinary figures to Iranian society and humanity in the years to come.

He added that the late Lieutenant General Hajj Qasem Soleimani was renowned not only for his military standing but also for his moral character, which was widely recognized as upright and balanced. This, he noted, demonstrated that the Lut Desert, the vast plains of Kerman, and the wider region possessed qualities that transcended any single historical period.

Emphasizing that the inscription of the Lut Desert on the UNESCO World Heritage List marked the beginning of a new path, Fartousi stated: “This World Heritage inscription is a beginning. You, the people of this region, are not only guardians of the frontier but also ambassadors. Those who enter the Lut Desert through this gateway should learn about its cultural heritage potential and receive the information they need as visitors, while the region should also benefit from the economic prosperity its people deserve.”

Fartousi added that visitors should experience the generosity and open-heartedness of the people of Kerman, known as the “Land of the Generous,” and that those who venture into the desert should leave Kerman having experienced the sincerity and warmth of its people.

It is worth noting that, during this visit, the Secretary-General of Iran’s National Commission for UNESCO also visited Malek Soleiman, pre-Sasanian fortresses, the historic Byramabad Garden, and Takht-e Dargah Qoli Beyk in Kerman.