Saturday, February 25, 2006

The Cold Fire

“So when Moses came near fire, a voice was uttered: O Moses: Surely I am your Lord, therefore put off your shoes; Surely you are in the sacred valley, Tuwa, And I have chosen you, so listen to what is revealed.” (The Holy Quran, Chapter: Ta Ha, abridgment of verses 11 to 13)
Part of the Zagros Mountain range near “Varavi” village, Lamerd region in the south of Iran.

Coming down from the mountain

somewhere down the valleys of “Taleghan” Mountains near Tehran

In the shade

The nature generously provides modern Man with every thing they need. What has the Man done for nature?

Yellow

yellow (color) /’jel.əu/ noun, adjective 1 (of) a color like that of a lemon or gold or the sun
Herbal plants growing in deep shady valleys of Lamerd region, south of Iran

Oregano

Herbal plants grown up down the deep valleys in hot semi-arid desert regions of southern Fars Province, Iran

If it rains!

Once screaming for water and attention, she is now looking into nowhere. A pomegranate tree near the city of Shahr-e-Babak, Kerman Province, Iran

The blue sky

Birds resting on top of the unfinished dome.The holy shrine of Imamzadeh Reza, known as Seyyed-e-gharib in city of Rafsanjan, Kerman Province, south-east of Iran

Mercy

Similar to other religious people throughout the world, some traditional people in Iran too tie small pieces of fabric to old trees branches, and locks or windows of sacred places in the hope that their little or big wishes come true; be it so.Gheidar-e-nabi Tomb located in city of Gheidar, near Zanjan, Iran. Gheidar is believed to be one of the two prophets buried in Iran. The other one had been Danial-e-nabi whose tomb is in city of Shush, Khuzestan Province, south-west of Iran.

The earth IV

Workers doing their jobs! Gathering seeds for winter in a pomegranate garden near the city of Shahr-e-Babak, Kerman Province, Iran

The earth III

A starfish drifted to the shore, Nayband protected zone in Persian Gulf

The earth II

A lizard footprint near a hole in central desert region of Iran

The earth I

Will this little plant survive? It seems that the struggle between Man and nature never ends.
Detail of an access road in Shanol/Homa gas pipe-line route, Lamerd region in the south of Iran.

The viewers!

Two lizards sunbathing in front of a spectacular scene in Naqsh-e-Rostam site near Persepolis.

Power of nature

Inscriptions on a wall in Naqsh-e-Rostam site near Persepolis. The stone is cracked due to the power of nature and of course, the negligence of Man.

The idol (Parsa)

This little female idol on the wheel of a royal chariot, carved on Apadana Palace’s north stairway in Persepolis is believed to be the only female figure of the ancient monument.

The hidden half (Parsa)

“Reconstruction is limited to the reproduction of fabric, the form of which is known from physical and/or documentary evidence. It should be identifiable on close inspection as being new work.” (The Burra Charter)
Detail of Persian soldiers relief on Persepolis walls, date of conservation operation being carved on it to mark the new work.

Median soldier, detailed view (Parsa)

Median soldiers (Parsa)

respect (Parsa)

Procession of gift-bearers, a detail of beautiful relief in Persepolis, the Achaemenian palace for their royal ceremonies.

Apadana Palace (Parsa)

West view of Apadana Palace (audience hall) in Persepolis: “Old Persian Parsa, modern Takht-e Jamshīd, or Takht-i Jamshīd (Persian: Throne of Jamshīd) an ancient capital of the Achaemenian kings of Iran (Persia), located about 32 miles (51 km) northeast of Shīrāz in the region of Fars in southwestern Iran. The site lies near the confluence of the small river Pulvār (Rūdkhāneh-ye Sīvand) with the Rūd-e Kor.” (Encyclopedia Britannica 2004)

Heritage in Danger - Nayband Gulf VI

A boat resting on the shore.
Nayband protected zone in Persian Gulf.

Heritage in Danger - Nayband Gulf V

Nayband protected zone in Persian Gulf

Heritage in Danger - Nayband Gulf IV

Nayband protected zone in Persian Gulf

Heritage in Danger - Nayband Gulf III

Nayband protected zone in Persian Gulf

Heritage in Danger - Nayband Gulf II

Nayband protected zone in Persian Gulf

Heritage in Danger - Nayband Gulf I

“Member States should take measures to protect their cultural and natural heritage against the possible harmful effects of the technological developments characteristic of modern civilization. Such measures should be designed to counter the effects of shocks and vibrations caused by machines and vehicles. Measures should also be taken to prevent pollution and guard against natural disasters and calamities, and to provide for the repair of damage to the cultural and natural heritage.” (Recommendation Concerning the Protection, at National Level, of the Cultural and Natural Heritage, 1972, Article 25)
The smoky sea near Cape Nayband; Nayband protected zone in Persian Gulf near Asaluye South Pars Special Economic Energy Zone is among the Iranian natural heritage resources.The pollution made by this industrial region is progressively affecting its surrounding beautiful and breathtaking natural scenery. Will the Man survive in such environment or they once again seek shelter in isolated caves and remote forests? And moreover, has any remote and safe place remained so far?

My little kid Avin

Avin is a female name common among Kurd people living in eastern regions of Iran. Avin means love.

home, sweet home

Outside the front window of my flat in Tehran, winter 2005

1, 2, 3, blue, yellow, green!

Necklaces ornamented with beads. Bazaar-e-Vakil, Shiraz, Iran