TEHRAN -- Spanish photographer Manolo Espaliu is displaying his works on Muharram rituals in an exhibition at the Iranian Photographers Center.

“Taking photos of the Muharram and Ashura rituals was not difficult for me since Iranians like to help those who come from other countries,” Espaliu said at the opening ceremony of the exhibit on Saturday.

“Iranian people also like to share their feelings and anguish with those whom they don’t know, while the Spanish people show no interest in photographers during the religious ceremony of Easter in Spain, and do not like to explain their feelings,” he added.

The photographer said that he knows a little about Iran because his father used to work in Iran, and that the history, society and religion of Iran have always been of great interest to him.

“Iran is a country that attracted my attention years ago and, as a non-Muslim, taking photos of religious ceremonies was interesting for me,” he explained.

Espaliu has taken photos in the last three years mostly from the city of Yazd. The exhibit will be running until Wednesday at the center located on Somayyeh St., off Hafez Ave.

On his collaboration with the Iranian Photographers Center, he said that it was fascinating for him to see the center offer to display works by a foreign artist who has no relation with Iranian culture.

The mourning rituals of Muharram are held to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions during the first ten days of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar and Ashura is the day when Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions were martyred on 10th of Muharram.

Photo: A poster for the exhibition of Spanish photographer Manolo Espaliu

RM/YAW
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