Culture & Art

Production and use of book is considered as an essential cultural indicator in the world. Development has direct and sophisticated relationship with book reading in a community. Since the level of development of present communities in the world depends upon the number of books used, it is called a direct relationship.

Aside from the temporary fluctuations which are mostly related to the special conditions of the country from the point of view of foreign exchange and difficulty in the import of paper, form 1979 to 1988 the general growth of book titles was calm and easy. In the meantime one must note that due to the chaotic conditions in these years, the statistics and hundreds of books printed and published during the years 1979 and 1980 were outside the control of related authorities and the figures cited are probably exaggerated, but the sudden jump in growth of book publication began in 1989.

The sudden increase of book titles and their wide circulation in 1989 can be justified on the basis of two important factors: The first factor was the termination of the imposed war, lessening control on books and foreign exchange used for print and the second factor was introduction of encouraging policies by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance for publication of books.

In order to encourage children and young adults to study so that book reading will gradually become a habit in the community, a series of positive steps have been taken by related departments in recent years. Organizing international and provincial book fairs and holding ceremonies where prizes are bestowed to selected writers and people involved in book publication industry, rare among the steps taken towards that direction in recent years.

In the examination of matters related to book reading, libraries play a special role.

During 1990 the nation owned 513 public libraries with approximately 10.3 million visitors. This figure rose to 841 libraries with 25.7 million visitors in 1995 and during the first quarter

of 1375 (March 20-June 20, 1996) soared to 980 libraries with 7 million visitors. The following table provides more precise information in that connection. One point of interest is that the number of books in libraries has nearly doubled during that period.

A general glance at the statistics on book, published during the years 1998 to 1995, reveals that the number of books in that period were doubled and increased by 6 folds compared to the year 1978.Number of book titles, first editions, compilation and translation of books throughout country during the years 1989-1996

Table of international book fair in the post Revolution Era (domestic publishers)

Number of book titles, first editions, compilation and translation of books throughout country during the years 1989-1996


Year	Total Book Titles	No. of First Editions	No. of Book Compiled	No. Translated
1979	1873	1633	1446	427
1988	4219	2039	2927	939
1989	8438	3806	5315	2483
1990	7758	3823	5351	2407
1991	7551	1829	4977	2574
1992	7246	2968	4890	2356
1993	8236	4529	5787	2449
1994	10540	5397	7365	3175
1995	11831	5722	8537	3294
1996	4974	2249	3487	1487

Number of public libraries, visitors, books existing and books loaned during 1979-1996 (figures are in thousands)

Year	Annual figures No. of Visitors	Existing Books No. of Books	No. of Public Libraries
1990	10.291	3.975	513
1991	11.569	3.972	539
1992	12.411	4.664	557
1993	13.101	5.27	647
1994	16.11	5.777	741
1995	25.721	6.519	841
1996	7.144	6.144	980

Freedom of the press is rightfully considered the biggest achievement of the Islamic Revolution and the news media has had significant influence as patrons and protectors of liberties achieved by the Revolution and as promoters of the culture of the revolution and freedom and no one can ignore its important role in the past and at present. Meanwhile the press played an essential and potent role in the culmination of the Islamic Revolution by reporting the revolutionary struggles of the people and keeping a meaningful silence such as the big strike held several months before the victory of the revolution.

During the post-war era and beginning of the construction era, a new role was added to the former duties of the press and that was to help create suitable grounds for development of science and culture by reflecting the exertions made by experts, scientists, researchers and executives in that direction. On the other hand after the nation achieved a relative economic and social stability, the news media and particularly the magazines (such as weeklies, monthlies and quarterlies) gradually changed their attitude and format from journals filled with news or the so-called journalistic and sensational stories into dignified publications that echoed solemn and deep scientific, political, philosophical and social opinions and subjects.

An extraordinary rises in the number of licenses issued for new publications in the postwar years are quite visible the statistics published in that connection. As a symbolic specimen of the country it must be said that during 1978 only 86 publications existed in the country. But this number was increased to 500 in 1992 without taking into account our dailies which exceeded 20 newspapers.

With a slight decline, the number of magazines and newspapers settled at 437 in 1994 ( mostly due to money and paper shortage). However, during the first six months of 1996 the number of such publications jumped to 743 titles.

Some Iranian publications in recent years had the merit to be considered as reliable scientific journals in the international level and the format and context of some specialized magazines on human sciences are in no way comparable to any period in the history of our news media.

political economic souci-cultural scientific women children total
105 64 572 278 13 32 1064

Establishment of new cultural institutes and launching new cultural activities in the existing organizations was another brilliant achievement of the governments cultural activities in recent years.

From the point of view of significance and prescribing policies for cultural subjects, the three academies including Academy of Persian language and Literature, Academy of sciences and Medical sciences Academy in the Islamic Republic of Iran were the most fundamental institutes established after revolution.

The establishment of cultural and recreational centers considered as safe and healthy resorts for families that could entertain our children, young adults and adults, required extraordinary zeal and regular and committed management.

As a whole, during the post wan, 500 cultural space including special centers, cultural house, cultural institute, library, picture gallery, literary society, sports complex and sports space was built and put into operation.

Beside the activities referred to above, each year tens of conferences, seminars, cultural and artistic exhibitions are being held throughout the country which permit large masses of people to participate in such public ventures. It is enough to say that every year millions of people are visiting the Tehran International Book Fair. In different festivals organized in provinces on various occasions, the Islamic Republic appreciates the performance of a large number of outstanding artists, scientists and employees of cultural and arts branches by presenting prizes of diplomas of honor to them.

To Speak about the condition of art in the Iranian community after the triumph of the Islamic Revolution is both simple and impossible. It is simple because each ordinary citizen can understand the long way that art has taken in our community to develop after the victory of the revolution without a profound examination of the process. At the same time it is difficult and impossible because evaluation of artistic products and judgment of their quality is a very expert business which is out of the scope of this treatise. Nevertheless, we might cast a cursory glance at the condition of music, theater most outstanding features of dramatic art and attract perhaps a far larger audience. Such a selection does not mean that nothing has happened and done in other branches of our art. In all probability our other branches of art have made great achievements and success in quality and quantity, but we will only emphasize the extent of influence of our dramatic art on their audience and their international impact.

Music containing genuine native songs and melodies of artistic value was revived and revitalized during the establishment and stabilization of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Thanks to continued support, guidance and serious attention paid to all the branches of human arts including music along with good will and interest, music which had little grown during the irresponsible regimes in the past (because of existence of a negative attitude towards music which aimed to defame and destroy that art), achieved its peak of glory and evolution during the Islamic Republic within a short period of time.

Up to that date only traditional music and that too in a limited form was attended to so that the number of cassette tapes produced did not exceed 20 tapes in a year and the number of musical concerts was limited to the number of fingers in a hand. Such a stagnation in the area of music increased public demand for supply of artistic productions but was remained unfulfilled.

With the start of the new era and in order to respond to such a demand, attention was focused on symphonic orchestra and a collection of old and new musicians and introduction of policies that paid further attention to native and folklore music and songs and other types of music needed by the youth. The number of cassette tapes produced and orchestra music played were increased by several fold compared to similar preceding period.

Formation of different round table conferences and research seminars on music, establishment of a department of music in the art branch exchange of the culture of music among Iranian musical teams and other nations, achieving the first rank by Aref Musical team in the London music festival which is the most valid traditional festival of music in the world, establishment of a section called music of nations in the Fair Music Festival, organizing programs such as the society of flute players and festivals such as Haft Orange, Mirror and Songs where the most outstanding native masters and musicians were invited to play, indicate the extent of exertions made by the related officials for expansion of the quality and volume of music in the last few years.

Invitation of the Armenian philharmonic Orchestra with about 100 players to perform a concert in the Vahdat Hall in 1995, was another important musical event in the country.

Presently more than 100 companies are engaged in composition of music. Of these 95 companies are private and among them more than 40 companies have produced only a single cassette in the last 5 years.

After the triumph of the Islamic Revolution and particularly in recent years, theater has assumed a more positive and influential concept in the community. With the termination of the imposed war and creation of conditions for overall reconstruction and development in the country, as a cultural foundation which directly communicates with its audience, theater has attracted the attention of the government officials.

Establishment of 16 nationwide Fajr Theater Festival has provided an opportunity to our artists to display their art for public judgment each year. On the international level also by participating in the Avignon Theater Festival in France, Iran displayed its theatrical values to international juries.

Also by organizing biannual international puppet shows within the country, renowned artists are trebling to Iran from other countries and our artists have found a chance to get familiar with the latest developments in the puppet show in the world.

Most important of all was the reopening of the centers for higher education of arts in different cities in the country (such as Bushehr in the south and Noshar in the north) amid a branch for theater in these institutes. Such a trend has gained momentum in the last two years and in the era, public attention to theater has doubled.

Before the victory of the Islamic Revolution what was known as Persian film was one of the instruments in the hand of the regime to propagate corruption and prostitution. Within the bosom of a picture film contaminated with prostitution and lewdness such films taught immoral behavior and debauchery and as a result of its damaging role the amount of harm inflicted on the healthy Iranian culture had reached a peak in the past. Among these filmmakers only five or six devotees of genuine Iranian culture and art, who had remind unpolluted to such evils, wholeheartedly participated in this business after the victory of the Islamic Revolution and laid the foundation for a new cinema in our country.

During the new era and first and second five year development plans, not only the government extended financial and spiritual support to outstanding film-makers and artist in the Iranian cinema, but it also paid special attention to films gushing from the heart of the Islamic Revolution and war. With the establishment of cultural branches in the art branch of the Islamic Propagation Organization, the Mostazafan and Janbazan Foundation and Sima Film which is producing pictures for the IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting), the Farabi Cinema Foundation which is affiliated to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the Fajr International Film Festival, Cinema for the Youth, the Center for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, the Center for Experimental and Semi-professional Cinema, the Center of Cinematic Researches at the Ministry of Islamic Guidance, the Children and Youth International Festival Organization and the Department of Cinema of the Commander in Chiefs Office (affiliated to the Commander in Chiefs deputy for cultural affairs), cinema and its supporting elements marched directly towards advancement.

During the first years following the culmination of the Islamic Revolution and establishment of the Islamic Republic in Iran our cinema did not grow seriously and the films produced during these years were rooted in past culture, lacked revolutionary and Islamic purity and did not identify themselves with the Islamic Republic.

However, upon the request of cinematographers and support of the government officials, the first steps for improvement of cinema in the Islamic Republic was taken in the years 1983 and 1984. In these years thanks to the facilities provided by the government 6 films were produced in 19812, 8 films in 1983 and 18 films in 1984.

Participation of Iranian feature films in international festivals began before the Islamic Revolution when a few films were presented in third class foreign film festivals and one or two films were permitted to ascend to higher grade festivals and received valid prizes.

At the beginning of reactivating of cinema in the Islamic Republic and reconstruction period which started with the commencement of the international Fajr film festivals, the Iranian films were given laudable ranks among foreign films. For the first time the Iranian films succeeded to be displayed in the grade A international film festival at Cannes which is the

biggest film festival in the globe. After that many first class international festivals and members of the International federation of Film producers Association (FIAPF) competed with each other in inviting Iranian film-makers to their festivals.

The Iranian cinema which from the point of view of volume had ranked tenth in the world in 1995, frequented numerous saloons each year where outstanding dramatic artistic works were displayed because of glorious presence in first class international festivals and winning first prizes of such festivals. During the years 1995 to 1996 more than 20 times Iranian films were screened only in Austria, Germany, France, Sweden and UK.

In this chapter we shall have a look at the most important social achievements during the recent twenty years, including :

Governments, especially those relying on peoples participation, attach great importance to creating productive job opportunities. This is among the basic economic objectives of each government.

Work and lawful occupation hold a high status in a divine system. The Islamic economy attaches great importance to creating productive job opportunities in order to establish social justice and equality in the society. In such a system, the activities of public and private sectors should prepare the ground for the creation of suitable jobs for all citizens in accordance with their skills, knowledge, and personalities.

Government investments should be planned in a manner that they also prepare the ground for human resources (work force) to participate in the economic activities and at the same time enable them to enjoy the blessings of life and tread the path of perfection towards God. The issue of unemployment, especially among the youth, has always been one of the greatest social economic problems in Iran in the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution. With the outbreak of the Iraqi Imposed War, many industrial production units were closed down. As a result, a great number of the workers became jobless. Simultaneously, meeting the requirements of the war prevented investment in economic projects, limiting the economic activities and spreading unemployment in the country. Nevertheless, the Imposed War and meeting the war requirements employed a number of the youth in our country.

By the end of the Imposed War and the beginning of the new era, investment in gigantic development projects, on the one hand, and the necessity to reconstruct the war ravaged areas, on the other, created a number of new job opportunities.

At the same time, reliance on native skilled work force caused a boom in blossoming of young talents. Hence, the undertaking of research projects and production of commodities and tools gained new momentum.

According to the performance Report on the first "Five Year Economic, Social, Cultural Development Plan", the employment figure stood at 13.82 million and the unemployment rate was 11.4% of the total active population in 1372 Iranian calendar year (Mar 1993--Mar 1994). In 1367 (Mar 1988-Mar 1989) nearly 15.3% of the total active population of Iran was unemployed.

Between 1367 and 1372 the annual growth rate of the countrys employed population was 3.8% The reason was the boom in economic activity during this period which created new job opportunities and prepared the ground for the employment of a considerable chunk of the population in addition to employing new work force.

Reducing the rate of unemployment was among the great objectives of the government during the new era which was fulfilled to a great extent.

According to the last census, out of the total 60 million population of Iran, some 17.7 million were active by March 1996 and 15.8 million were employed. Thus, the number of unemployed in 1374 (Mar 1995-Mar 1996) was 1.9 million, i.e., 10.7% of the total active population.

The above figures indicate that despite the growth in population, the rate of unemployment decreased from 11.4% in 1993-4 to 10.7%.

The attention of the nations executive branch to the essential and decisive impact of education and schooling on the nations destiny and the constitution of its citizens, attracted the main body of economic-executive directorates towards meeting the countrys educational needs, and made utmost use of the capabilities of most of the states professional executive manpower towards the "qualitative" upgrading of the nations public education. This was the most important means for extending social justice and transforming the structure of wealth distribution and reducing deprivation in the country.

In the years following the success of the Islamic Revolution, special attention was paid to the elimination of sexual discrimination within the educational process. These efforts bore agreeable fruits in the period of Reconstruction, to such an extent that they have now led to the expansion and upgrading of the education of women and the augmentation of their share in the countrys Gross National Product as well as its overall social-economic development. The Islamic Republic of Iran has surpassed other developing nations and countries of the Middle East in this regard

Comparing some of the indices of 1998 with 1979 the year of the culmination of the Islamic Revolution in Iran indicates the progress made in the field of education to which we shall refer in the following:

The development of public health, preventing the spread of contagious diseases and maintenance of the individual health are considered as criteria for economic and social development in each country. After the victory of the glorious Islamic Revolution in Iran, improvement of health and medical treatment service and medical treatment service became the concern of the officials and great steps were taken in this regards.

The imposed war and the consequent damages as well as the economic pressures resulting from the expenditures of the sacred defends practically limited the financial resources allocated to the health and treatment sector. The war itself increased the treatment expenses and damaged the treatment establishments and facilities in the western and southwestern regions. However, despite these problems efforts continued to promote the health and treatment sector and increase access to medical facilities and aids.

In order to improve health and treatment facilities in Islamic Iran, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education carried out several activities in 1995-1996. The main activities of the Ministry are as follows: setting up 1,067 health centers, 181 rural and urban health centers, 81 treatment centers, 25 centers rendering services to pregnant women, 11 centers for training rural medical assistants, 15 medical houses, 15 medical rest houses, 200 labor health centers, 6 centers for training technicians on environmental hygiene, training 1,000 rural midwives and 2,000 medical assistants, implementing a national plan for eradicating poliomyelitis across the country in early 1994-- in the first phase of this scheme 9,021,000 and in the second phase 9,1813,000 below-five-year children were vaccinated, and in 1995 respectively 8.2 million and 8.4 million children were vaccinated--- and the breast feeding of 85 percent of below one-year children.

During the new era some 91 percent of rural households enjoyed hygienic drinking water facilities which in turn had its positive impacts on prevention of contagious diseases. Also the drinking water of more than half a million shops dealing with foodstuff in 1995-1996 was among other measures of the Ministry. The Ministry of Health and Medical Education also launched a program on AIDS prevention methods between January 1995 and July 1996.

In the field of treatment, the ministry took the following steps: inauguration and equipment of 22 hospital projects with 2,000 beds, establishing 40 new wards including emergency, infection, ICU, CCU, ophthalmology, clinical laboratory, and radiology wards. The Ministry also set up 46 clinical laboratories, 14 emergency centers, 21 polyclinics, and one round the-clock drug store.

There has been a considerable achievement in the field of the production of medical equipment and tools which include: mass production of standard beds for operation theaters, surgery sutures, disposable gloves and syringes--now being exported due surplus production. Major changes have taken place in the field of drug production: between March 1995 and September 1996, some 96.5 percent of various kinds of medicines were produced by imported

basic materials in 48 pharmaceutical factories. In 1995 some 13,566,570,000 doses of medicine were manufactured.

In the field of medical treatment and training the Ministry carried out significant activities in 1995-1996. Until 1996 at least one medical science and health services university was active in every province. In addition to -these universities, in several other cities medical science and health services universities were set up.

Between 1995 and September 1996, three medical colleges were upgraded to medial universities. By September 1996 some 32 medical universities and 7 medical colleges were active in the country. The establishment of eight colleges offering medical, dentistry and nursing programs as well as the establishment of three medical, four Ph.D. and specialization courses were among other measures to increase medical expertise in the country. According to the last census the number of the faculty members of medical colleges and universities has reached 8,400. The number of scholars in post-specialization programs from 15 in 19881-19819 reached 170 in 1995-1996. The number of Ph.D. scholars reached 229 from 42 during the same period. The number of assistants from 1,711 in 19881-1989 reached 5,555 in 1995-1996.