Rouhani Acknowledges Inability to Fully Support Artists

The President of Iran acknowledged his government's inability to provide comprehensive support for the country's artists and criticized 'narrow-minded' individuals who are 'not pleased' with the global recognition of Iranian cinema and music. According to the state news agency IRNA, Hassan Rouhani stated on Thursday evening, July 1, in a gathering with a group of artists: 'It is an honor for Iran and Iranians that the music of Iranian artists is heard in the great music halls of the world and that Iranian films are recognized globally, and it is unclear why some are not pleased with this.' He emphasized that the government will remain a supporter of culture and art 'with all its might,' while also noting that 'not all powers and capabilities are concentrated in the executive branch.' Rouhani also remarked that 'creative art is only possible with complete freedom and security' and that 'great artistic work cannot be delivered to society with a fearful heart.' He added that 'we should not be afraid of narrow-minded individuals' and that 'we must maintain joy and hope within society and selflessly prevent those who think differently from creating despair and hopelessness in society.' These statements come at a time when Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, has recently criticized the 'promotion and glorification' of artists he deems 'unbelieving and lax' and also condemned what he calls 'the laxity of cultural institutions.' Meanwhile, the issue of the cancellation of several concerts by order of prosecutors has been a point of contention between the Ministry of Culture and the Judiciary, with Rouhani's Minister of Culture admitting the ministry's inability to support artists. Following the awarding of two prizes at the Cannes Film Festival to Asghar Farhadi's film 'The Salesman,' some conservative media outlets harshly criticized the film. For instance, the Kayhan newspaper accused Farhadi of making a 'commissioned' film for European countries, claiming that the film 'attempts to defend family honor and dignity, which is perceived as fanaticism and violence,' and that 'any defense of the sanctity of home and family is portrayed as illegitimate.' In this context, Hossein Nooshabadi, the spokesman for the Ministry of Culture, stated on Tuesday, May 23, that the film 'The Salesman' will be screened in Iran with 'internal considerations.' Nooshabadi later claimed that his remarks were not accurately reflected. On Wednesday evening, the Iranian President also told a group of students that 'the reverse movement of the return of elites to Iran' has begun, and in recent months '200 elites, about 50 of whom have studied at the top ten universities in the world, have returned to the country.' He pointed to the government's efforts for 'constructive interaction with the world and removing barriers and barbed wires,' adding, 'Of course, taking steps to remove barriers is not easy, and... every step the government takes in this direction faces problems and the mockery of malicious tongues and harsh words.' Nevertheless, Rouhani told the students that 'they should not be afraid and retreat, and be assured and do not doubt that we will ultimately succeed.' According to the International Monetary Fund, in 2009, Iran ranked first among 91 developing and underdeveloped countries in terms of brain drain. Two years ago, Reza Faraji Dana, the then Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, stated that about 150,000 talented Iranians leave the country each year. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the head of the Expediency Discernment Council of Iran, also stated on Thursday, May 21, 2015, that 'illiterate and slogan-chanting' individuals prevent the activities of 'good and compassionate' educated people outside the country. In recent years, some Iranian specialists, including Omid Kokabi, a PhD student in physics at the University of Texas at Austin, and Hamid Babaei, a PhD student at the University of Liège in Belgium, have been imprisoned after returning to Iran. Several political activists and journalists residing abroad also traveled to Iran after Hassan Rouhani took office but ultimately were arrested and sent to prison. Among these individuals are Hossein Nourani Nejad, Sirajeddin Mirdamadi, Saeed Rezavi Faqih, Sajedeh Arab-Sorkhi, and Mostafa Azizi, who have been detained after returning to Iran over the past two years.