Matthias Schmidt

21/05/2019

to every German citizen or German speaking traveler of my dear friends and followers. No one of us wants a war that is dictated to us for economic, personal or whatever means. Help reminding at least our politicians (in Germany) that Talk is better than War. and sign the petition of the German NGO for peace and deescalation "Friedenskooperative": https://www.friedenskooperative.de/kein-krieg-gegen-iran

24/04/2019

For everybody who is interested in trying out another, a slow travel and direct contact with locals way of experiencing Iran, I recommend going for the spring trail with Iranian Nomads of the Zagros region. For any qestions feel invited to contact me or directly my friends from Iran Nomad tours: https://nomad.tours/

06/04/2019

Book seller near Enqelab Square in Tehran. A saying says 'a home without books is like a house without windows'. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why there exist so many books in Iran (including many translated ones). Could it be that they function like windows, that they offer a sense of belonging to a wider world community?

کتاب فروش نزدیک میدان انقلاب تهران.
خانه ی بدون کتاب، مانند خانه ی بدون پنجره است. احتمالا این یکی از دلایلی وجود این همه کتاب (تالیف شده و ترجمه شده) در ایران است. آیا ممکن است دلیلش این باشد که کتاب‌ مانند پنجره است؟ که کتاب‌ها احساس تعلق یه جامعه ی بزرگتر را ممکن میسازند؟

08/03/2019

Celebrating International Women's Day 2019 with showcasing my friends' project in Shafiabad village.

No hardship be it drought or social limitations could withstand their will, strength and collective movement. The women of Lut Desert margin villages are the strong members of Gojino community based organisation. They have been able to produce, distribute and sell handycrafts without the I yerference of middle-men. They work alongside their male partners to invest part of their income in saving and restoring their ancient old qanat water supply system - this unique tangible desert heritage inherited by them from their forefathers in the hope of leaving a lively inheritance for the generations of villagers to come.

موجی نو در برابر قدرت، خواست و حرکت جمعه ای آنها نه خشکسالی ها، نه رنج ها و نه محدودیت های اجتماعی تاب نیاوردند.
تشکل گوجینو، زاده ای زنان روستا های حاشیه ایبیابان لوت ایران است که توانسته اند با تولید و فروش بی واسطه ای صنایع دستی و اختصاص بخشی از درآمد شان به قنات های منطقه شانه به شانه به مردان (معمولا کار قنت بخش مخصوص از وظیفه های مردان روستاست) برای نجاد میراثی قدم بر دارند که از آن مادران و پدران شان بوده است و فرزندانشان نیز هم.

05/03/2019

On Fridays most of the shops of Esfahan's Bazaar stay closed.

در روزهای جمعه بیشتر از غرفه‌ها ی بازار اصفهان تعطيل هستند و باز نمی‌کنند.

04/03/2019

Artist waiting to enter the open air stage at Howzak House, Esfahan.

هنرمند در انتظار ورود به صحنه.

22/02/2019

Some time ago, my friends from Howzak House in Esfahan and Puppet Museum in Kashan hosted a very interesting event. Together with a group of actors from Armenia they performed a series of traditional Iranian & Armenian plays.

The most touching part for me, was the audience's reaction to the Armenian part, especially the children's reaction. Most of the audience were Armenian Iranians who have lived in Iran for many generations now, and identify as Iranians as well as Armenians. They speak Armenian and Farsi commonly among themselves and share a wide range of culture with their Armenian neighbours. However, the Armenian language they use, and some of their traditions differ very slightly from the one that they practice in Armenia. This became obvious when sometimes it seemed difficult for the kids to fully comprehend the Armenian plays. However, after the theatre plays were over and the kids got the chance to try the puppets and tools, the small gap of intercultural miscommunication was
broken completely.

چند مدت پیش، دوستان من در خانه حوضک اصفهان و موزه عروسک کاشان ایونتی بسیار جالب برگزار کردند، که در آن چندین نمایش سنتی ایرانی و ارمنی، توسط ایرانیها، و نیز گروهی از بازیگران تئاتر ارمنی که از ارمنستان آمده بودند اجرا شد.

تاثیرگزارترین بخش برنامه برای من، واکنش مخاطبان به اجراهای ارمنی، مخصوصا واکنش کودکان بود. بیشتر مخاطبان این برنامه، ارامنه ایرانی بودند. این افراد نسل‌های بسیار زیادی است که در ایران زندگی می‌کنند و هویت خود را هم ایرانی و هم ارمنی میدانند. آنها معمولا در بین خود به زبان ارمنی صحبت می‌کنند و در بخش های زیادی از فرهنگ و آداب و رسوم با ایران و نیز کشور همسایه ارمنستان مشترکند. با این حال، زبان ارمنی که آنها استفاده می کنند، و بخشی از فرهنگ و سنت های آنها با آنچه در ارمنستان به کار می‌رود تفاوت‌هایی دارد. به همین دلیل در طول اجرای ها به وضوح دیده میشد که کودکان برای درک کامل بخش هایی از نمایشنامه های ارمنی مشکل دارند. با این حال، پس از آن که اجراها پایان یافت و بچه ها فرصتی برای بازی با عروسک ها و ابزارها پیدا کردند، این شکاف کوچک بین زبانها و فرهنگ ها به طور کامل از بین رفت.

19/02/2019

A family enjoying the waters of Zayande Rud river and the lights of Khajoo Bridge. Esfahan.

یک خوانواده لب رودخانه ای زاینده‌رود که استثنا پر آب هست. پشتشون پل خواجو دیده میشود. اصفهان‌.

17/02/2019

Another place with a special aura: Takht-e Suleiman, the remains of sanctuary of "Adur Gushnasp", the temple of the holy fire of the warriors and kings of the Sasanian period. Some people believe that "the Holly Grail" was once kept in this city. Story also says that great amounts of treasure are buried at the bottom of the lake (which is surrounded by the site), but nothing was found in any of the explores till now.
May all these belong to the realms of myths, yet the UNESCO-site of Takht-e Suleiman is impressive by its natural appearance also: a thermal spring lake that built up a high platform over time. It surely is worth a visit for everyone traveling to West-Azerbaijan.

مکانی دیگر با حال و هوایی خاص: تخت سلیمان، بقایای آتشكده ی آذرگشنسپ، معبد آتش مقدس جنگجویان و پادشاهان دوره ساسانی و شهر اطراف آن. طبق برخی روایت ها، این شهر محل نگهداری جام مقدس حضرت مسیح (جام گرال)، و بسیاری گنجینه های ارزشمند دیگر بوده که اکنون در اعماق دریاچه قرار دارند. در طول سالیان کاوش های زیادی نیز توسط گروه های ایرانی و خارجی انجام شده ولی تاکنون چیزی یافت نشده.

گذشته از افسانه ها، سایت تخت سليمان (که در محدوده ی میراث جهانی یونسکو ثبت شده)، از نظر طبیعی نیز بسیار زیبا و تاثيرگذار است، مخصوصا با وجود دریاچه آب گرم در میان بازمانده های باشکوه باستانی، که برروی پلتفورم مرتفعی که به مروز زمان از املاح آهکی دریاچه ساخته شده و ساختمان ها بر روی آن قرار دارند. این محدوده مطمئنا برای کسانی که به آذربایجان غربی سفر می کنند، ارزش دیدن دارد.

16/02/2019

Armenian tradition holds that St. Thaddeus, one of the twelve apostles, evangelised the region of northwestern Persia and Armenia and shall have suffered martyrdom finally. Legend also holds that some of his disciples founded a monastery dedicated to the saint in year 68 AD. If true, the St. Thaddeus Church close to the border of Iran and Turkey would be one of the oldest still standing churches in the world. Although, the current structure dates back 'just' to the 13th century, the site is very impressive. Far away from any larger settlement, between mountains that open into a wide range, one can easily sense the place's spirit & mystery.

طبق سنت ارامنه، سنت تادئوس، یکی از دوازده حواریون مسيح، منطقه ای از شمال غرب ایران و ارمنستان را به دین مسيحيت دعوت کرد، و در نهایت به شهادت رسید. افسانه همچنین می گوید که برخی از شاگردانش در سال 68 ميلادي، یک صومعه منسوب به او را پیدا کردند. اگر درست باشد، کلیسای سنت تادئوس (قره کلیسا) نزدیک مرز ایران و ترکیه یکی از قدیمی ترین کلیساهای باقی مانده در جهان خواهد بود. اگر چه بنای فعلی تنها به قرن سیزدهم باز میگردد، اما هنوز بسیار چشمگیر است. دور از هر گونه آبادی، درمیان کوه هایی که به گستره وسیعی گشوده می شود، به راحتی میتوان روح و رمزآلودی فضا را احساس کرد.

01/01/2019

people talking to one another, get to know the 'other' and perhaps reach a deeper understanding of each other, is what I wish for 2019. Picture: Intercultural encounter at Vakil Bazaar, Shiraz.

24/12/2018

Merry Holy Night and Merry Christmas to all of you!!

کریستمس مبارک دوستهای عزیز

22/12/2018

Each day at dawn, when sun hides and night sets in, Ali puts oil lamps in the old alleys of Esfahk Village. He likes to do this because the lights remind him that again, after so many years that the village has been abandoned and falling into ruins, people and life are coming back to it.

14/12/2018

Barberry farm, South Khorasan. 90 percent of worldwide barberries are produced in this region, or more concrete in villages east of Birjand. The area close to the Afghan border offers the certain type of climate that supports the berries' cultivation, which (in autumn) is cold or even slightly frosty nights and mild sunny days.

مزرعه ی زرشک، خراسان جنوبی. ۹۰ درصد از زرشک سراسر دنیا در این منطقه، یا بطور دقیق تر در روستاهای شرق بیرجند، تولید می شود. این مناطق نزدیک به مرز افغانستان، که در فصل پاییز سرد و شبها حتی کمی يخبندان، و روزها معتدل و آفتابي است، اقلیم مناسبی برای کشت زرشک فراهم میکند.

02/12/2018

What could have Baluchistan to offer to travelers? you won't find the best hotels there. you won't find any prepared tourist industry. you even might get problems with traveling for if you want to use a rent car, you will have to get around the gasoline restriction that counts in this most Southeastern of Iran's provinces. What you get in exchange is a simple authentic travel experience. This counts for people you meet as well as the nature. One example is the coastline of the Indian ocean which is one of the most beautiful coasts I have seen so far (not seen so many to be fair). In how many places else can you see the desert entering the ocean? However, as beautiful it is, as vulnerable it is, too. If you go there, make sure you respect local customs and traditions and make sure to keep the natural environment you enjoy clean.

24/11/2018

Each day, Mr. Hamidi's team heads deep into the mountains near Neyshapur. As generations of miners before them, they seek for the fine blue veins enclosed in the mountain range - Lapislazuli. Mr. Hamidi is proud to practise a tradition dating back some 6000 years ago. Blue ist the world's most seldom natural color. And thus, from the Egyptian pharaohs onwards people spent enormous amounts of money and energy to decorate themselves with this precious stone.

هر روز،تیم آقاي حميدي، راهی اعماق کوهستانهای اطراف نيشابور میشوند. مانند نسل های گذشته ی معدنچیان، آنها نیز به جستجوی رگه های زیبای آبی رنگ محصور در کوه ها ميپردازند: سنگ لاجورد. آقاي حمیدی، به انجام این سنت شش هزار ساله افتخار میکند. آبی، کمیاب ترین رنگ طبیعی دنیاست. و به همین دلیل از زمان فراعنه مصری تا کنون، مردم پول و انرژي عظيمي صرف کردند که خود را با این سنگ قیمتی بیارایند.

16/11/2018

One million knots. One year of work. This is what it takes Ali to produce a two and a half metres carpet. Incredibly fast he ties the knots, always keeping an eye on the colors and pattern. The small town of Mud in far East Iran is known for its flower rich motives called 'toranj'. On the wall there is a picture of young Dariush, his voice singing out of a radio. Ali says listening to Dariush helps him to keep concentration.

11/11/2018

Iran is the land of dates and pistachios, right? Who would think of that bananas are cultivated there as well? The amount of fruits is not a shed-load, however, one can find some plantation worthy of mention around the village Doodar, deep down South Baluchistan.

26/10/2018

There are many reasons to travel to Iran at springtime. One certainly is that nature turns into a fresh green for a short while. However, traveling in autumn offers its own advantages. Sunlight is flattens leading sharp contrast. One place I like most in autumn is Perspolis. You can experience sunset there just at this season. Everything becomes more tranquil then, and the ruins of the ancient Achaemenid capital get this certain aura of past away glory.

13/10/2018

15 years past since an earthquake destroyed Iran's Southern city Bam completely. Today, the city's physical and psychological wounds did not heal yet. However, one can see how people rediscover and recapture their city of which they were once so proud of. A good example is Arg-e Bam. The world's biggest mud brick construction that fell into ruin completely, now is rebuilt to some good respect and not long time ago, the first Arg-e Bam Festival after the earthquake attracted people frome far and wide.

29/09/2018

Yazd. With its own mood. Its own time.

28/09/2018

I just had the chance to meet Issa Omidvar who, together with his brother Abdullah, was the first Iranian global trotter. In the early second half of the 20th century, when nearly all travelers have been Westerners, the two started a trip with nothing more than 90 bugs in their pockets. It then should last for more than 7 years. This should be but the beginning of extended journeys including a trip through Africa with a Citroen 2cv.
Today the two brothers are not known much in the Western hemisphere. However during the 60s they were pioneering in producing documentary films and television programs. For many Iranians they opened new worlds to their eyes and became an icon for what one can do with just 90 dollars and a dream in one's hands. Not long time ago Issa and Abdullah got their own museum in tehran's saadabad complex.
I could not resist to bring their biography with me that I had bought a while ago. lucky I am Issa wrote a very nice dedication that goes like this:

With the hope for a world without geographical borders. We are all different and we are all one family.

22/09/2018

Iran is a land of ancient old history, but also of still lived traditions and beliefs. Zurkhanes, craft houses, represent such a tradition. The gyms, in which a form of sport is practiced that perhaps is best described as mix of body building and gymnastics led by the hard beats of a drum and religious-heroic vocals, keep remaining their popularity despite all the 'modern' sports variants out there.

This series of pictures was taken in Bam, Southeastern Iran, where I had the chance to accompany Morshid Abbas 'the drumer' two evenings to his local gym.

17/09/2018

Iran produces more dates than Saudi Arabia and is second just to Egypt. With 120.000 tons of dates annually harvested from almost 28 thousand hectares of palm-tree gardens surrounding its suburbs, Bam is a hotspot of Iran’s date production and holds a 10% share of all produced dates in Iran. Bordered by the extremely hot Lut desert, the city is especially famous for its soft Mozafati-dates. You may find them in stores of your own hometown, because they are shipped worldwide. Over the centuries, the method to pick and pack the dates did not change much. Climbing up and shaking the trees, collecting and packing the dates, the entire process is mostly business of several families.

For this series of images, I accompanied 3 people with different perspectives on the procedure of date production in Bam.

Said. Together with his family, he owns some 800 palm-trees. Usually in early September when the dates are “cooked” by the sun, harvest season begins for him. Climbing several hundreds of trees and packing tons of fruits is a lot of work. Therefore, as most of the other date farmers of Bam, Said hires labourers from villages surrounding Bam or from Baluchistan. One of them is
Hussain. To make money for the next few months, he and his family come to Bam each year staying for the time of harvest season. While Hussain climbs several dozen of palm-trees a day, it is the women’s part to pick and pack the best dates from early morning to late night.
Exporting the dates is not so much business of smaller families. They rather store their fruits in icehouses owned by people like
Yousef. With more than 200 hectare of land and some 30.000 palm-trees, his family is one of the big producers and exporters of Bam-dates. Yousef holds contacts to a wide range of national and international customers. Whenever one of them places an order, he makes sure the dates are re-packed according to his customer’s individual needs and shipped to the destination markets.

29/08/2018

These days is date harvesting time in Bam, Southeastern Iran. I am looking forward to do some shoot. however, before so I have to proof harvesting skills myself. 😀

13/08/2018

With its massive construction and its spaceship like patterns, Azadi Tower's architecture clearly reflects Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's intention; connecting a supposed glory of 2500 years of Iranian Kingship with the supposed achievements that the oil boom had brought to the country - rapid industrial progress and modernity. Knowing this tower was built by a man who spend millions of dollars for but his own memorial does not prevent from finding oneself impressed by its dynamic shapes and forms. It is such a fine piece of architecture, a classic, that seems to connect easily with everyone ready to enter into dialogue with it.

08/08/2018

A one and a half hour drive from Kerman, one reaches Shadad. From there it is just a stone’s throw to the desert Lut. It is Iran's second large desert and one of the world’s hottest and driest places. Moreover, the Lut has been ground shaping for cultural development of people between India and Mesopotamia reaching back 6000 years ago. If you walk some steps on your own there, feel your heartbeat in the absolute quietness or lay down on the ground to watch the milky way over your head at night… you understand easily why UNESCO enlisted the Lut as first Iranian natural world heritage.

30/06/2018

The is a beautiful place in the very heart of yazd's historic texture. Here one can enjoy the best view over the city's blue domes and minarets, get a fresh pomegranate juice, or just rest for a moment and read a book.

17/06/2018

Recently I visited Filband. Around this small village, which is located high on the north-side of Elborz mountains and functions as a favorite recreational area for many city tired Tehranies, one can do great hikes above the clouds. Or, one can sit out stormy weather as was our case..

12/05/2018

This is exactly the reason why I posted my article about 'Iran is not a threat'. The sanctions hit the ones who try doing the good for Iran.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/11/sunset-at-persepolis-iranians-fear-trump-has-killed-tourism-boom

Visitors flocked to Isfahan and Shiraz after the nuclear deal, but what happens now?

19/04/2018

In yazd's Friday mosque there is an entry that leads deep down to the cities ages old water supply system, called qanat. Here you can find an old man that holds the keys to this place. He doesn't talk much but if you ask him for help, he willingly goes down the huge steps of the ancient stairs to open you the gates to the city's underground. Each time I meet him, he seems to become a little slower and his hand's grip around the small railing to get tighter. Though, he still keeps on doing so. Hope to see him next time again.

16/04/2018

Today Yazd, biggest desert city in the world and known for its many wind-towers got lost in a heavy sandstorm. Desert-storms are quit usual here, however, this year there is real April weather all over Iran and so when we went up the roof of a house to take a snapshot of the wind-towers, we got really surprised by the huge wave of sand heading in our direction. We looked for a save place to stay, closed all the doors, put pillows in the windows to prevent the sand to enter, but still, there was sand everywhere. with the storm, the weather cooled down drastically. Afterwards it got quiet until people began to enter the streets and clean up their houses.