IRAN is following the UN's plea for dialogue between civilisations in 2001 - by offering a journey through its culture at Sofia's National Library.

The exhibition Literature, Art and Ethnography - Dialogue Between Civilisations was organised by the Islamic Culture and Relations Organisation of the Iranian Embassy.

It is one of a series of events arranged to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the Islamic revolution of 1979 which established the Islamic Republic of Iran.

On view are a plethora of objects out of Iranian cultural traditions, from intricate, handmade silk carpets, to metal pots and plaques, to books, illustrations and masterpiece calligraphy.

Seyed Abdol Madgid Shafai, the embassy's cultural attache, said: "The United Nations determined 2001 the year for dialogue between the civilisations. The deputy rector of Sofia University, the president of the National Library and many other Bulgarian intellectuals expressed their wish and their concern about the future development of the relationship between our countries."

The Iranian Culture and Relations Organisation also organised a concert by Iranian musicians in the Military Club last month and a celebratory event on January 31 at Sofia University. Literature, Art and Ethnography opened on February 1 and closes today.

Armand Basmadjian, exhibition organiser at the National Library, said: "The Culture and Relations Organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran Embassy made a very impressive exhibition at the library. It is well known that the exhibitions in the foyer of the library are very popular and they always attract big audience. We are happy to have had the chance to host such an interesting and unusual event. These exhibits transported a part of the Iranian world here."

Perhaps one of the most interesting parts of the exhibition was the paintings by the artist Mahmoud Farshchian. "They represent the artistic style of Iranian mysticism. They show the path to the mysticism and to saving of the human soul; express how is it possible to live healthily," said Seyed Abdol Madgid Shafai.

The calligraphy pieces were very detailed and beautifully made, containing citations from the Koran. "The texts on them are deeply religious. All of them present very deep feelings," he said.

Both Seyed Abdol Madgid Shafai and the president of the National Library Professor Boryana Hristova spoke at the opening of the exhibition. The two institutions also made an agreement for an exchange of books.

Stoyanka Kenderova, director of the Oriental Department at the National Library, said: "The Iranian Embassy provides much assistance to our department. It sponsored a catalogue of the exhibition of manuscripts and old printed books titled From the Collections of Ottoman Libraries in Bulgaria During the 18th and 19th Centuries, published two years ago. It has also presented many books for the library."