Annual meeting of the Club
Annual meeting was held in the Club. Guest of the Club was former President Cornelis J. Groeneveld. He informed members about the life in Iran. The theme Iran was continued by Sergey Kanaev, who is Candidate of Historical Science, orientalist. Sergey visited Iran in 2009 and presented photos, which he made during his trip. He also spoke about the history and civilization of Iran.
The current President of the Club, David Tomawevski, introduced the speakers and gave the floor first to Cornelis J. Groeneveld, who was President of the Club in 2011-2013 Period, and is at present assigned to the Netherlands’ Embassy in Iran.
Iran, a country in the Middle East, has a long history and a rich culture. Its history dates back to the 6th Century BC. Named Persia before 1935, the capital is Tehran. The country is bordered in the north by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, across the Caspian Sea by Kazakhstan and Russia; in the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan; in the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman; in the west by Iraq; and on the northwest by Turkey.
The total land area of Iran is about 26 times the size of Latvia. The population of Iran is around 80 mln people. More than 50% is younger than 30 years. The population of Metropolitan Tehran is about 14 mln people. The capital is at an altitude of between 1,100 in the south of the city and 1,700 meters in the north. The mountains in the northern part of the city rise up to 4000 meters. Construction above 1,900 meters is prohibited.
The snow-capped mountains are seen from many kilometers away. There are many new constructions. The most famous city of Iran is Isfahan, about five hours drive from Tehran. For any traveler to Iran, Isfahan is a have to visit.
Iran has four seasons. Autumn is relatively short. It regularly snows in winter and temperatures drop below zero. In summertime temperatures go up to 50 degrees Celsius. New Year is celebrated on March 21. The inhabitants of Iran are friendly and forthcoming. From the age of 9 years onward, girls and women have to respect the Hijab or Islamic dress-code, meaning that they are only allowed to show their face and hands in public, while bodily shapes and curves should be covered. For example, they are allowed to wear jeans, but in public they should always wear a dress over their jeans covering their buttocks, upper legs en knees. At beaches, girls and women are segregated from men and while swimming they should adhere to the Islamic dress-code. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Iran. One cannot buy alcoholic products in shops or order a drink containing alcohol in restaurants and cafés. There are nevertheless good restaurants and plenty tea and coffeehouses.
The highest office in the Islamic Republic of Iran is held by the Supreme Leader. After the Supreme Leader, the Constitution defines the President of Iran as the highest state authority. The current President was elected in June 2013. His subsequent installation was August 3, 2013.
Iran has the second largest gas reserves and the fourth oil reserves in the world. Based on Purchasing Power Parity, its GDP per capita is about USD 13 thousand. The economic is regulated by the government. Various products and services are subsidized and there is price control.
Electricity and gasoline are for example extremely cheap. Imported products are more expensive and luxurious products like BMW, Mercedes and Porsche cars are heavily taxed. A large part of the population receives direct income support from the Iranian State.
Domestic banking is ample and developed, but, due to the international sanctions, it is not possible to pay with international debit and/or credit cards. International bank transactions are impossible too. There are no such problems like a banking crisis and/or banking collapse.
The education system is well-developed; there are many institutions and universities of a good standard. At primary and secondary school level boys and girls are segregated. At tertiary level the sexes are mixed. Female students do, of course, have to respect the Hijab.
As a European person living in Iran, one misses political and civic freedoms that are normal in Latvia and other European countries. For example, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are blocked and so are many other websites. The Hijab, segregation at beaches and the impossibility to have a glass of wine when dining out or a glass of beer at an outdoor terrace in summer decreases the comfort of life one is accustomed to.
In concluding, our former Club President remarked that his life in Iran is still under construction, like many buildings in Tehran
Sergey Kanaev visited Iran two years ago and represented photos, which made during the trip. Told about the history and civilization of Iran.
The following members of the Club participated in the meeting: C.Groeneveld, S.Kanaev, M.Preminin, A.Gaponenko, A.Ilyin, V.Palkovich, L.Soldatich, I.Andzhane, E. Valoynis, V.Danilokh, A. Donabedian, S.Ladyigin, I.Lohmakov, V. Roldugin, S.Shushunova, D.Tomashewski, M.Lambarts and others.
