Half of the whole world

by Armaghan Sarvar (Iran)

Making a local connection Iran

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And I find myself, In the reflection of the sun, the Persian culture, the colorful minarets, and the turquoise paintings. This is where I feel close to the sky: The Naghsh-e-Jahan square. The moment I enter this area, I am in the center of the universe. I can feel the breeze in my hair and hear the sounds of the horse carriages. Every inch is like a unique museum property. Naghsh-e-Jahan has four main sides, which are the Shah mosque, the bazaar, the Lotfollah mosque, and the Ali-Qapu palace, each so vibrant that it seems as if they have been born today. I keep imagining all the children who have played on this ground, those who have fallen in love in this atmosphere, and the visitors who have been inspired by this beauty. But this is only one of the magnificent historical places in Isfahan. Khaju Bridge is another architectural miracle built over the “Zayande” river, truly deserving its name, which means life-giving; since the river has the power to spread liveliness. The bow-shaped concavities, the traditional music that is being played with sitars and dulcimers, and of course, the rhythm of the flowing water that reflects the soul of the bridge, are the inseparable parts of this living structure. While walking on the Si-o-Se-Pol bridge, I realize that in this place, no obstacle is preventing my dreams from freely blooming. Here, the art and intelligence of humankind are combined to be the reason for the smile of thousands of people. This bridge has a large plane at the beginning of it, where the Zayandeh River flows faster. There, I see more arches making it a suitable place for a tea house that can be accessed from the southern entrance. Now, I can free my mind and enjoy this deep sleep, awake. Another great attraction of this unforgettable city is Menar Jonban (shaking minarets). This structure, which was a shrine belonging to a mystic named Amo Abdollah-e Karladani, has two pillar-shaped parts, and by shaking one minaret, the other will shake as well. Menar Jonban has the most beautiful turquoise tiles with multilateral shapes and was built during the reign of Iljaito of the Ilkhanian dynasty. In that era, this building was the best example of architectural arts. Isfahan is a piece of jewelry that in spite of the fluctuations in history, has retained its magnificence throughout centuries. Its rich culture and spiritual nature are in a fantastic harmony that one seems to be an extension of the other. Isfahan is called the city of handicraft and traditional arts. These works comprise a major portion of Iran's exports. In this city, I can learn history, culture, humanity, art, and architecture. I can be proud of my existence, my feelings, and the fact that I am a human being, who has had the opportunity to breathe in its glory. Every passing minute is a direct proof of why they call Isfahan, half of the whole world.