TEHRAN- Under the visionary leadership of President Raisi, Iran's culture sector has experienced a remarkable resurgence over the past three years, Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad-Mehdi Esmaeili said during an interview with the Tehran Times on Friday. 

The minister made the remarks during a visit to the daily's headquarters in downtown Tehran, where he praised the significant strides made in the cultural and artistic fields during this period.

"It has been a remarkable three years for Iranian culture and art," he said, highlighting the numerous achievements and initiatives that have been implemented to promote and develop the sector.

The minister attributed this success to the establishment of foundations and complexes that have enriched Iran's cultural landscape, as well as the launch of a global creative industries initiative. The government has also set up 12 new creative cultural districts across the country, which will ultimately lead to the flourishing of Iran's cultural and artistic economy.

In addition to domestic efforts, the government has established the Foundation for Iranian-Islamic Lifestyle to promote Iranian-Islamic values and norms, as well as the Hakim Nezami Foundation to promote Iranian culture globally in collaboration with the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO).

Many of these initiatives have already borne fruit, with opportunities for further growth in the field of culture and art. Noting that his ministry's budget has increased from 12 trillion rials ($21 million) to around 200 trillion rials ($364 million) since he took office, Esmaeili expressed hope that this positive trend will continue under the new administration.

These opportunities are fully open and compressed for the new government, and each of these projects and laws has led to significant advancements in culture and art through numerous follow-ups in parliament and cabinet meetings over the short term, he noted. 

"We hope that this positive trend will continue with strength under the new government," he said.

SAB/