Representatives of the Ibn Sina Islamic Culture Research Foundation visited the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy

On July 18th, Mr Hamid Hadavimogaddam, President of the Ibn Sina Islamic Culture Research Foundation and Mr Seyed Nasser Tabaei, Vice-President of the Foundation, visited the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy.

After exploring the museum's exhibits, the Iranian guests expressed their admiration of the collection. In a conversation with Alexey Shaburov, President of the Association of Private Museums of the Russian Federation and Director of the Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy, Mr Hadavimogaddam and Mr Tabaei noted the thoughtful approach to the creation of the collection of masterpieces, and also gave their respect to the educational activities of the museum.

The dignitaries donated to the musuem truly unique masterpieces by the remarkable Iranian calligrapher Naser Tawoosi.

One is an exquisitely crafted sura of the Qu'ran, in which joyous news is brought by messengers of Allah to Ibrahim about the birth of his sons Ishaq and Yakub.

The calligraphic object is inserted in a passepartout that was handmade by the artist. The text is written in the Iranian Naskh script, which appeared first in the Safavid period within the bid-e neirizi school in the Iranian cultural sphere with an inscription in Nastaliq script. It has fully taken up the Persian spirit that was developed over the centuries within various schools. This includes the Isfahan school, in the traditions of which this inscription has been executed. This school formed under the influence of the Isfahan and Neirizi styles. The signature and date were made in the Ruka’a script.

The paper and background were handmade by the author.

The second precious gift from the guests is a poem, written in the Ruka’a scripts of the 15th-16th centuries, which is one of the 6 main scripts. Over time this script was entirely forgotten, and Mr Tawoosi not only revitalized the script, but also reintroduced it to the contemporary graphics environment. The text reads: "The purity of handwriting comes from a pure heart". The full text reads:" One who knows what heart is- knows that the purity of handwriting comes from a pure heart."

This verse belongs to Mir Ali Tabrizi (1370-1447), a poet, calligrapher, artist of the Nastaliq script. It is written on hand-made paper with a special traditional ink. Egg whites are a part of the ink. Since ancient times, this ink is considered the best and longest lasting. It can be preserved for centuries.

This work was noted as unique at the international festival-competition of calligraphy "Silk Lines" which was held under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov.

The Iranian guests carefully wrapped both gifts in handmade tablecloths. Mr Hadavimogaddam and Mr Tabaei also presented to Mr Shaburov a unique edition of Qu'ran, where the original Arabic text is provided with a Russian translation.

Mr. Tawoosi is a member of the Supreme Association of Calligraphers, and holds a PhD in philosophy. He is a master of the main calligraphic scripts, such as Kufic, Thuluth, Naskh, Reyhan, Tawqi, Ruka’a, Taliq, Nastaliq and others, as well as special scripts of the Seljuk and Ilkhanid periods. The artistry, knowledge and experience of Naser Tawoosi in Iran finds practical application in the restoration of medieval manuscripts and images.

At the conclusion of the visit, Mr Alexey Shaburov invited the dignitaries to visit the Great Chinese Calligraphy and Painting exhibition, which will be held from September 20-22 this year.

Mr Naser Tawoosi is expected to be an honorable guest at this event.

President of the Ibn Sina Islamic Culture Research Foundation, Mr Hamid Hadavimogaddam, and Vice-President of the Foundation, Mr Seyed Nasser Tabaei, are donating to the Contemporary museum of calligraphy the unique masterpieces, made by the remarkable Iranian calligrapher Naser Tawoosi.

The guests are presenting to Mr Alexey Shaburov the muslim Holy book - Qu'ran