Iran-Iraq-Cultural Week
The head of Islamic Culture and Relations Organization said that holding Iraqi Cultural Week in Iran would be a happy occasion.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Iraqi cultural week in Tehran, Mehdi Mostafavi said: "For decades, two brotherly countries, Iran and Iraq, are looking forward to deepening their relations which was fulfilled today."
Iran and Iraq have longstanding cultural, religious and historical commonalties, Mostafavi said.

Referring to the religious similarities, he added that existence of holy shrines in Iraq as well as holy cities as An-Najaf and Karbala have joined two nations.

"We believe that those religious beliefs can make bilateral ties stronger thank to the efforts made by the two countries officials," he added.

Mostafavi said that no power could break the ties between the two nations, referring to the country's former dictator Saddam Hussein.

Some 170 Iraqi intellectuals, authors and media officials as well as a number of Iranian cultural officials took part in the event.

Holding book fair, presenting visual arts and performing music, theater and movies are the plans set for the event.

Iraq's cultural week will be open to public until July 28 during which two countries are due to sign educational, scientific and cultural agreement.