Recollections of Iran: The Forgotten Glory
Sue Cheherenegar

After I got hold of the DVD called Iran: The Forgotten Glory, I looked forward to the onscreen appearance of its contents. I had witnessed the degree to which our own school system seemed to “forget” about the contributions of the ancient Persian civilization. I hoped to find in this DVD confirmation of my personal belief, a belief that put the accomplishments of the Persians on a par with the advances introduced in Egypt, China, Greece and Rome.

Both parts of Iran: The Forgotten Glory managed to vindicate my unspoken thoughts. As I watched part I and part II of this DVD, I felt as though I had been carried back to a long ago time, a period in history that was recounted in the Old Testament. I sensed the genuine efforts made by ancient civilizations, efforts directed at advancement of an emerging art and culture.

I appreciated the pride with which the narrator described the importance of one old column, a column constructed when Cyrus was ruling the Persian Empire. That single column is the world’s oldest standing column. Later sections of part I and II underscored other architectural inroads that had been made by Persian architects and artisans.

This DVD did not expect the viewer to take a quick and passing glance at a series of photographs. This DVD invited the viewer to reflect on the nature of the times and people behind any object in each photograph. As the narrator sought to emphasize the historical significance of a particular event, the camera zeroed in on material remains from that same event.

At the same time, this DVD challenged the viewer to consider not only how much civilization has changed, but also where civilization needs to be headed now. This DVD recalled some past attempts at promotion of tolerance. This DVD illustrated how more than architectural wonders got “buried,” when the world failed to remember the former glory of the land that was to become Iran.


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