In the name of God, the merciful the compassionate
& peace be upon him who follows the guidance
In the beginning of visit with our dear friends who have come from Switzerland we say “Salaam”; along the sweet fragrance of the auspicious feast of spring; & blended with the spirit of our beloved guests. We passed 3 days packed with enjoyment & enthusiasm with you. The thoughts combined, the efforts associated , the eyes turned to one point to glorify the architecture of both living ancient countries. Due to having a cultural , & scientific cognition, our architecture faces a hopeful future, & gaining an enthusiasm & artistic sense, it achieves fame.
To protect our ancient culture, our nation makes hopes on our architecture. In this disturbed era, the Iranian architecture, carries a great ideal; therefore our people expect it more than the past. No other kinds of art can effect man`s mind & soul more effectively than architecture. It stimulates everybody`s conscious to deepen the old faith of Iranians & their resistance against the cultural invasions. These relations can lessen the effects of the poisonous arrows shot at our belief, from down to dusk.
One of many ways which science & technology have to face today, in order to develop, is the achievement of a relation between their students. This process not only results in the knowledge of the total development of science, but also leads to development of the general knowledge of mankind. We wish that these travels aim at the discovery & expansion of these relationships.
Our architecture students showed their faithful artistic enthusiasm through their talent to you. Their behavior always ended in an intensive “nostalgia” for mankind & their separation from God. The forcefulness of this “nostalgia” in the Islamic Iranian art can present the worthiest gift to the truth-seekers in the field of the fine art.
Short whiles are passing. You arrived & pointed out some moments to remain in the minds. We should keep them in minds which were so plentiful. It appeared to be a Rose-garden of different colors & fragrance in a vast era –even as vast as untold truth- the truth which this visit could have been a sign to remind a little. Isfahan was enjoying the kindest regards of the students of two nations these days & now at the end of these kind relations & glorious seminar, we feel honored to have been able to offer our most sincere friendship to create the most possible desirable situation for our dear guests. We also tried to provide you with a very fine & lasting view of both the nation & culture of Iran. We hope to appreciate these gift of kindness & friendship and wish to use the opportunities to make the best use of this scientific, mental & artistic congregation to develop some higher goals.
Finally I express thanks to the valuable assistance of Mr.Ali Kahrom, Mr.Otto Kenzle, & Mr.Akbar Zargar, without whose assistance this visit may never have been done. We hope that our humble & unworthy effort will be accepted by our beloved Swiss friends too. We wish you happiness & hope to see you again.
Although I tried hard to write this letter briefly, I couldn`t control the pen; then letter became long & longer. For this, I apologize to my friends.
Be happy - Hamed Vahdat
Architecture student in Pardis faculty of Isfahan
May 1997