Many Westerners are familiar with serious, artistic Iranian movies, such as the work of Abbas Kiarostami and Mohsen Makhmalbaf, who have received international prizes. Such films are not usually shown in theaters in Iran, although they can be purchased on DVD. The majority of theaters show Iranian-made dramas and comic films that feature popular television actors. Iranians can purchase DVDs of Iranian films that had previously been shown in theaters, as well as bootleg foreign films, usually of the more action and violent bent. In Tehran there are only about a dozen theaters that perform plays, the most notable being the City Theatre in the center of Tehran. Theaters usually perform works by Iranian playwrights, or foreign ones in translation. Mostly urban, Western-educated artistic people, intellectuals, and literati go to plays; the vast majority of Iranians have never been to a live theater performance. There are two main halls where concerts of classical Iranian and European music are performed: the Vahdat (Unity) Hall (formerly Rudaki Hall) on Hafez Avenue and the Niavaran Palace, both in Tehran. Events are advertised in the daily papers, and tickets for most plays and concerts can be bought in person at the box office or on the Internet, but tickets can be difficult to get for popular shows. Your hotel or tour guide should be able to help. The website www.tehranavenue.com has useful information on current cultural events in Tehran. Popular shows may sometimes travel to other large cities. Large cities and towns have a variety of fine museums, galleries, and temporary art exhibitions that attract mainly young and foreign visitors, and those with special interests. Mansions and palaces formerly belonging to the royalty and the aristocracy have generally been converted into museums, such as the Golestân, Niâvarân, and Sa’adâbâd Palaces in Tehran. Museums and landmarks often have different hours, so check before going there.
Cultural Roots of Politics in Early Modern Iran
