The arts and cultural heritage of the Muslim world were highlighted through the scholarly and artistic program jointly implemented by IRCICA, Tabriz University of Islamic Arts, and Rab-e-Rashidi Scientific, Cultural and Historical Complex, and held in Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran, on 19-20 October 2025. The program consisted of the 5th Tabriz International Festival for Creativity and Innovation in Islamic Arts and Crafts and the International Conference on Architectural Heritage at Risk. It featured scholarly sessions, art workshops and exhibitions, and an exhibition on architectural heritage.
The high-profile opening ceremony of the program was addressed by Prof. Bahram Sarmast, Governor of East Azerbaijan Province; Prof. Hossein Simaei, Minister of Science, Research and Technology; Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi, President of the Iranology Foundation, Prof. Mohammad Taghi Pirbabayi, President of Tabriz Islamic Arts University; Prof. Mohammad Ali Keynejad, Director of Rab-i-Rashidi Scientific, Cultural and Historical Complex, Prof. Mahmud Erol Kılıç, IRCICA Director General; the representative of the art community Master Rahim Charkhi; the representative of the heritage community Mr. Hayeri. The program concluded with a joint closing ceremony for the two events.
The festival’s academic sessions were conducted over two days, with presentations by scholars and specialists from Iran and other countries. The rich exhibitions enhancing the festival included Persian painting (miniature, illumination, flower and bird painting) and calligraphy coordinate dby Tabriz Islamic Arts University. IRCICA’s exhibition of calligraphy curated by Mr. Said Kasımoğlu, Chief of the Arts and Handicrafts Section, included award-winning works by Iranian calligraphers in IRCICA’s competitions. Eight workshops were conducted by master artists from Iran, focusing on Iranian painting, decorative qufi script, illumination for calligraphy, ta’shir (ornamental drawing), and black pencil painting.
The conference on Architectural Heritage at Risk was conducted in sessions parallel to the Festival’s second-day schedule, with studies presented by experts from Iran and abroad. It was marked by the announcement of the results of the Rab-e-Rashidi International Award Competition themed “Lasting Heritage” – Creativity and Innovation in the Revival of Endangered Historic Buildings in the Islamic World”. The competition acknowledged innovative ideas in the field of the revitalization of prominent historical buildings through novel designs for conservation, restoration, structural strengthening, and functional rethinking. The competition had a Special Section dedicated to “Reimagining the Reconstruction of Gaza City”. Dr. Alidost Ertuğrul, Chief of IRCICA’s Architectural Heritage Section, was a member of the international competition jury. (https://en.tabrizrru-ac.ir/News/3/Rab%E2%80%99e-Rashidi-Prize,-International-Competition–%E2%80%9CLasting-Heritage%E2%80%9D-Creativity-and-Innovation-in-the-Revitalization-of-Architectural-Heritage-at-risk,-in-Islamic-World.html)
The earlier four editions of the Tabriz International Festival for Creativity and Innovation in Islamic Arts and Craft were organized by Tabriz Islamic Arts University and IRCICA during the period from 2012 to 2019.
