Iran to publish selected works of Bismillah festivals

Iran is planning to publish the best works of the previous Bismillah festivals during the 9th edition of the international event in Tehran.

The selected artworks will be published in three books and unveiled during the opening ceremony of the 2012 International Bismillah Festival on July 21.

The books include top calligraphy works, drawings, graphic designs, paintings and photographs that participated in previous editions of the event, festival director Mohammad-Reza Kamarei told IRNA.

The first book covers calligraphy works, drawings and graphic designs.

The second book reviews different architectural styles from the 11th century until the contemporary era with photos of mosques, minarets and Islamic monuments.

The photos come with descriptions written by Iranian architecture experts, Kamarei explained.

The third book contains paintings with the central theme of creation.

Published by Mashq-e Honar Publications, the books will be available in bookstores and cultural centers after the festival is opened in the holy month of Ramadan.

The ninth edition of the festival will be held concurrently in Tehran, the Persian Gulf island of Abu Musa and the countries of Malaysia, Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates.

The event will present artworks inspired by the Arabic word, Bismillah, which is used as the collective name of the phrase bismillahi r-rahmani r-rahim meaning ‘In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.’