Seyed Abbas Salehi, in a speech to faculty and students at St. Petersburg State University, examined why some civilizations collapse in the face of crises while others not only resist but also emerge stronger from them.
Cultural Components of Iran in Facing Crises
The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance pointed out that both Iran and Russia have faced numerous crises such as imposed wars and economic sanctions, stating that what has kept these two countries stable are the cultural and civilizational components accumulated over centuries. He elaborated on Iran's cultural components in confronting contemporary crises, noting that each crisis activates different cultural components. Therefore, Iran employs a diverse set of cultural components.
Read more: Pear Stew with Chicken; Fruity and Saffron Flavors on One Plate
The Role of Emotional Solidarity and Women
Salehi further emphasized emotional solidarity as the primary cultural component, stating that this solidarity is rooted in a culture of altruism and collective commitment. The Minister of Culture highlighted the essential role of women in creating this solidarity, adding that Iranian women play a key role in care, distributing aid, and rebuilding social relationships in the face of threats. He also referenced the empowerment of Russian women during World War II, suggesting that this could be a topic for cooperation between Iran and Russia.
Salehi also mentioned the historical memory of suffering and resistance as the third influential cultural component, emphasizing that the exchange of experiences in positively recounting historical memory could be a subject of cultural cooperation between Iran and Russia.
In another part of his speech, Salehi referred to Iran's cultural components in facing sanctions and economic isolation, stating that resilience, the agency of youth, and communication networks are among these components. He noted that Iran's most important asset in a crisis is the people's ability to unite and empathize.
At the end, the Minister of Culture suggested to Russian professors and students that they view the cultural dialogue between Iran and Russia as a strategic investment in mutual resilience against future crises.
Salehi will also be present at the Iranian Cultural Days in Russia, organized by the Iranian Cultural Attaché and the Ministry of Culture of Russia.
Read more: Muslim Shojaei and the Necessity of Creating Border Hubs for Tourist Exits · Putin: Russia Has No Intentions of Waging War with Europe
