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                                     issue 1, year XVIII, 2011 | 
                                 
                                
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                                        H. E. MR. GOLAMREZA BAGERI MOGGADAM, AMBASSADOR OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN TO BULGARIA A STORY ABOUT A FRIENDSHIP
                                         Exclusively for Europe 2001 Magazine
                                         
                                         Page 4
                                         
                                         H. E. MR. GOLAMREZA BAGERI MOGGADAM, AMBASSADOR OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN TO BULGARIA: THE INTERACTION BETWEEN RELIGIONS IS A GUARANTEE FOR WORLD PEACE
                                         
                                         Page 5
                                         
                                         BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
                                         By the Embassy of The Islamic Republic of Iran in Sofia
                                         
                                         Page 8
                                         
                                         The bilateral diplomatic relations between Iran and Bulgaria were established 115 years ago. Iran was the first Asian country to officially acknowledge Bulgaria's independence, and Bulgaria was also among the first ones, that acknowledged the Islamic Republic of Iran. To Iran, Bulgaria is an entrance to Europe and Iran is the Bulgarian gate to Asia. The two countries cooperate in the spheres of culture, sport and economic relations.
                                         
                                         ECONOMY OF IRAN
                                         By the Embassy of The Islamic Republic of Iran in Sofia
                                         
                                         Page 9
                                         
                                         The economic progress of the Islamic Republic of Iran is due to a 20-year-programme, called "Document for perspective until 2025". The deposits of oil, gas and petroleum and the good geographic position help developing the energetic sector. Iran has 51 electric power stations and 117 artificial lakes. The space researches, automobile manufacturing and nanotechnologies are in progress.
                                         
                                         IRAN'S MARKETS
                                         By Alireza Purmohammad
                                         
                                         Page 12
                                         
                                         The word "market" originates from Old- and Middle Iranian and exists in many languages. In the past the markets were central and peripheral, constant and temporary. Typical for the old markets were the existence of mosques and big squares next to them. Today the traditional Iranian markets are centers of trade and social contacts.
                                         
                                         HISTORICAL CHRONICLE OF A NATION
                                         By Assoc. prof. Ivo Panov
                                         
                                         Page 14
                                         
                                         In 550 B. C. The Achaemenid empire of Cyrus The Great was established. Ages later the empire was conquered by the army of Alexander The Great. The Sasanian dynasty established the second Persian empire and controlled the country from 224 A.C. After long attacks, which the Sasanian empire could not resist, the Semites took control of Persia, followed by Genghis Khan and his invasion in 1220. 1501 Persia is called independent and Safavid dynasty ruled Persia. After them several dynasties sat on the throne until the
                                         Islamic Revolution from 1979 changed Iran's status.
                                         
                                         ASSOCIATION OF THE FRIENDS  OF THE PERSIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
                                         Assoc. prof. Ivo Panov
                                         
                                         Page 18
                                         
                                         On 17.06.2008 a constitutional assembly of the "Association of the friends of the Persian language and culture in Bulgaria" took part at the University "Saint Kliment Ohridski". An opportunity to join was given to all interested in the organization. The association organizes exhibitions, concerts and courses for people who want to learn the Persian language. The members celebrate as well all Iranian national holidays .
                                         
                                         THE PERSIAN LANGUAGE
                                         By Alireza Purmohammad
                                         
                                         Page 19
                                         
                                         The Persian is an Indo-European language, which belongs to the group west new Iranian languages. It originates from the Old- and Middle-Persian. The Middle Persian was an administrative, religious, literary and spoken language of Sassanid Persia. During the Achaemenid era the Old Persian was not used in the administration.
                                         The New Persian was formed in VIII-IX century after the destruction of the Achaemenid country. There are three types of the New Persian language, all of which are official languages in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
                                         
                                         A TRIP THROUGH AGES AND CIVILIZATIONS
                                         By Maria Angelova
                                         
                                         Page 22
                                         
                                         The trip through the ages and civilizations of Iran passes outside Teheran: through Hamadan, Kashan, Kermanshah, Maku and Yazd.
                                         The Persian King Cyrus The Great, the philosopher Avicenna and the poet and mystic Baba Taher had lived in Hamadan.
                                         Kashan is an oasis. The city is popular by its carpets, silk and clay tiles, named "kashi".
                                         Kermanshah is one of the most visited trade centers.
                                         Maku is popular with its Armenian churches.
                                         The wind-towers are typical for Yazd.
                                         
                                         BULGARIAN-IRANIAN SEA: FOR CASPIA AS PARATETIS
                                         By Venelin Sapundziev
                                         
                                         Page 28
                                         
                                         Persia or Iran is variegated like a Persian carpet, left from the Achaemenid Empire - the first great empire in the human history. The Caspian sea can be described as the eighth wonder of the world. It is three times the size of Bulgaria. With its S-shape, an ancient symbol of infinity, 1200km length, 435km width and depth from 5-6m up to 1025, the Caspian see reminds of an ocean.
                                         
                                         PERSEPOLIS - TAKHT-E JAMSHID
                                         By Assoc. prof. Ivo Panov
                                         
                                         Page 32
                                         
                                         Persepolis is the second capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Its construction starts during the government of Darius The Great and continues seventy years. The most impressive building is the Apadana Palace. Nowadays Persepolis in an object of high tourist interest.
                                         
                                         SHIRAZ - IRAN'S OASIS
                                         By Ilina Vasileva
                                         
                                         Page 37
                                         
                                         Shiraz is Iran's oasis. It is situated in an oasis in Southern Iran and has a population of 1 million habitants. Interesting are the mosques: The Friday Mosque, Shah Cheragh, The Vakil Mosque and The New Mosque. Famous are the rose gardens of Shiraz: The Khalili Garden, Bagh-e Eram and Bagh-e Delgosha. Other landmarks are The Koran Gate and the Bazaar. Shiraz is hometown of the poets Sa'di and Hafez.
                                         
                                         IMAM MOSQUE IN ESFAHAN
                                         By Maria Angelova
                                         
                                         Page 40
                                         
                                         "Imam" mosque in Esfahan, built during the government of Shah Abbas, is one of the finest mosques in the whole world. Its construction took around 18 years. Architect of the mosque is Ali Akbar Isfahani. The decoration is in a traditional Iranian style with floral light motive, symbol of fertility and abundance. These motives express the poetic Persian passion for flowers. Two madrasahs (Islamic schools) are built in addition to the mosque.
                                         
                                         REFLECTION OF THE IMAGINATION
                                         By Assoc. prof. Ivo Panov
                                         
                                         Page 42
                                         
                                         "LIGHT IN THE FOG" - A MASTERPIECE IN ART
                                         By Zdravko Grigorov
                                         
                                         Page 46
                                         
                                         NOWRUZ: THE IRANIAN NEW YEAR
                                         By Hajar Fiuzi
                                         
                                         Page 49
                                         
                                         The ancient Iranians divided the year in twelve months. Nowruz is the name of the New Year in the Iranian calendars. It is celebrated in the last 5 days of the year, called "pandje". Spring cleaning is commonly performed before Nowruz. People purchase new clothes and flowers. Nowruz is the first day of the month Farvardin. The Iranian New Yeard is attended by other holidays: Chaharshanbe Suri, Haft Sin, Haji Firouz and Sizdah Bedar.
                                         
                                         THE IRANIAN CUSINE
                                         
                                         Page 50
                                         
                                         The climate in the different parts of Iran is various and so are the dishes. People in North Iran grow rice, but the main meal in the rest of the country is bread. After the tea is served, people eat fruit. Pollo, Kebab, Khoresht, Abgusht and Fesenjan are the most popular dishes in the Islamic Republic. People drink the traditional tea with a lump of sugar under the tongue. Other popular drinks are doogh and sherbets.
                                         
                                         FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM IRAN
                                         By Alireza Purmohammad
                                         
                                         Page 53
                                         
                                         ZOROASTER ZAKARIYA RAZI RUDAKI NEZAMI GJANJAVI FARIDEDDIN ATTAR NISHAPURI AMIR KABIR EXPEDITION "BULGARIANS - LAND OF ORIGIN"
                                         By Assoc. prof. Ivo Panov
                                         
                                         Page 57
                                         
                                         FERDOWSI AND HIS EPOS SHAHNAMEH
                                         By Assoc. prof. Ivo Panov
                                         
                                         Page 60
                                         
                                         In 1010 in Horasan was created the book Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) . The book, written in New Persian language, was dedicated to the history of the Persian country. The author Abul Qasim Tusi was called Ferdowsi (From Paradise). In order to get the Sultans's blessing, he made some corrections in his work. It took Ferdowsi thirty years to finish the book. Shahnameh has three parts: Mythological, Heroic and Historical. It is divided to fifty chapters and describes 4 dynasties.
                                         
                                         PHOTOATELIER PRESENTS:
                                         IVAN NINOV: PHILOSOPHY OF THE COMFORT
                                         
                                         Page 66
                                         
                                         ROMIL KALINOV: FEELINGS, IDEAS AND ILLUSIONS
                                         
                                         Page 68
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                                    | Translated by Ilina Vasileva | 
                                 
                                
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