Speaking in a press conference in the Rezvan Gallery in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad on Monday, the CEO of the Institute of Artistic Creations stated: “Given the experience of the institute in running various artistic events, we held the first round of ‘Mazarat’ International Photo Festival in 2020 in collaboration with the Deputy Office for International Affairs, and the new round will get underway this year”.

Amir Mahdi Hakimi pointed to the central role of Mazarat (shrines) in the world, adding: “Islamic shrines such as those of religious leaders, scholars, and thinkers of different sects have always caused transformations in the Islamic world, giving rise to civilizations in many places. Shrines also served as the factor for national continuity for different peoples”.

The festival secretariat also talked about the architecture of shrines, saying that the artistic architectural patterns in the shrines represented the Islamic civilization and identity. “For instance, the matchless architectural masterpiece in Imam Reza shrine works as a portal for prayer between pilgrims and God”, he continued.

The CEO of the Institute of Artistic Creations further referred to the artistic mission of photography in recording many of these beauties, noting: “This round of the festival revolves around ‘Mazarat-Islamic Shrines’ and ‘Prayers in Divine Faiths’”.

“Considering the connection between Mashhad and Imam Reza, and Imam’s discussions with scholars of different faiths, the decision-makers of this round of the festival opted for expanding the inter-faith relations in the event; hence the prayer section of the festival was changed to ‘Prayers in Divine Faiths’”, added Hakimi.

Elsewhere in the press conference, Hoj, Esfandyari, the deputy for International Affairs, stressed on holding different national, regional and international festivals in Imam Reza shrine, asserting: “Mazarat’ International Photo Festival can open a new horizon for those interested, and shed new civilizational light”.

Hoj. Esfandyari also drew attention to the significance of the first step upon which further steps would be based, stressing: “The first round of ‘Mazarat’ International Photo Festival was a success. However, we shouldn’t stop at that, and need to adopt a civilizational outlook in international arena”.

“Without a doubt, our perspective is international since Imam Reza is an international figure. Therefore, we opted for Mazarat (shrines), but won’t be confined to Islamic shrines”, added the deputy for International Affairs.     

As for the number of submissions, the executive secretariat, Amin Ebrahimi, said: “Photographers are allowed to send 7 photos for each section – around ‘Tombs-Islamic Shrines’ and ‘Prayers in Divine Faiths’. This will add up to 14, which has increased compared to the first round”.

Each section will have three winners, and the first one will be awarded a special prize.

Ebrahimi said the website of the festival (photo.mazaar.net) would be in both Persian and English, adding: “The candidates can register and submit their works as of May 6, and the deadline for submissions will be June 16”.

The submitted works to this round of festival will be judged from 17 to 20 June, and the closing ceremony will be on July 17.