DUSHANBE, November 15, 2008, Asia-Plus – Iran’s presidential adviser also head of Documents Organization and National Library Ali-Akbar Ashari, heading Iranian delegation arrived in Dushanbe on November 12 for a three-day visit, IRNA said.
On November 12, he visited the Institute for Oriental Studies and Written Heritage of the Tajik Academy of Science.
During a meeting with Tajik orinetalists, Ashari said that there were five centers for repairing manuscripts in National Library, Astan-e Qods Razavi, Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, Tehran University and Majlis Library, which could help the country preserve its Persian handwritten books.
Referring to historical and cultural bonds between the two countries, he further said that Iran was ready to cooperate with Tajikistan in repairing handwritten copies and maintaining its manuscript museum.
Alimardon Amriyazdonov of the Institute for Oriental Studies, for his part, said that more than 5,600 volumes of handwritten copies were kept in the institute”s repository. He added that a number of copies date back to the 11th and 13th AH centuries.
Amriyazdonov further noted that ancient works kept at the institute were a source of pride for the people of Iranian origin and they should be safeguarded.
Tajikistan”s facilities for maintaining the manuscripts are insufficient and it welcomes Iran”s cooperation in the field, he said.
