Images of Old Tehran
The website Iranian.com has a fantastic collection of photographs of old Tehran, most of them are taken almost immediately after the second world war (and the following decade) by photographer "Mahmoud Pakzad".
I personally feel that the city was much more elegant (for its time) comparing to what it is now. In some photos, the city and the people look actually very chic, although I know the rate of literacy was not as high as it is now, but it looks like the capital in the 40's and 50's was on the right path to growth and prosperity. The innovative architectural style which was a blend of ancient Persian and classic European styles was dominant in major government buildings and banks etc and looked really fabulous. Pity those buildings have been either demolished or very poorly maintained.
Anyway the collection is worth a visit. I really liked it.
What we have done to this LAND!!! We would never see those glorious days back again, that's for sure! at least as long as Reality and their mates exist(take a look at their comment on "COMMON SENSE"). HOW SAD IS THAT?...
(at October 22, 2004 01:23 PM)
Very interesting collection of photos. The city centre of the old Tehran definitely had many nice and interesting place to be in.
Well Roba, we will not get the past back anyway, so we have to try our best for the future. It's a big challenge. And it's very important to find out why we lost that past. That was our city, and the people were our grand parents. So what happened in 60 years time?
(at October 22, 2004 01:40 PM)
We cannot compare the situation 60 years ago to our situation now. Absolutely every single factor in our society has changed. The Iranian cities reflect the reality of the country - good or bad. We need to work and improve fundamental things. We cannot close our eyes and dream of a perfect city, we need to open them wide and be very realistic. Mentalities need to be changed.
(at October 23, 2004 05:07 PM)
Did you notice that in the picture of "Chattanooga" both trees have ID numbers on them? I had heard that Reza Shah had given strict orders that every tree planted in Pahlavi Ave. (Vali-Asr) should be looked after very carefully. You see twenty years after him, still the number cards were visible.
(at October 23, 2004 06:26 PM)
I agree with Roba :)))) but hey please have a look around you, unfortunately all the world has been changed, Roba, I think you sticked to your past.. have a look in england, could you really compare the glorious british thinker of past(40-60's) with this new British generation? how many new british thinker(from 60's till now) can you count for me? ha? surely there is not more than your fingers !.... could you compare Mr. Kennedy( the late president of US) with Mr. Boush?...think about it... so as well it does not make sense such a comparison in Iran.... i am telling you,i am one of the new iranian generation-after revolution- i prefer the way that new Iranian generation think about life and human beeing...
(at October 24, 2004 09:17 AM)
Reality!Dude! I'm not that "old"!(what past?),
Of course World has changed, but for the better(people haven't left their "Houses" to live in caves! got it?).I can! I can count them to the end of the world! and I mean it. comparing Bush and Kennedy? you can not be serious! honey you can't compare an oak with a panda, can you?(see! I did think about it!) what you are missing is that you are stereotyping* me! You prefer "the way..." only because that's the only option you've been allowed to have!(both mentally and physically) how could you choose something you don't even know it exists???(you just don't listen!Let's revise it once again together: "One can not miss what they have never known of")and as long as you are kept(you keep saying "prefer", it doesn't bother me) "this way", believe me,nobody can be happier than you are, and how sad is that! Next time you wanna say something on behalf of iran's post-revolution generation,remember you still don't have my vote for this "job", Mr.Spokesman!
ps1 about your nickname "Reality",you gotta be joking!
ps2 Did anybody whach "The White Huose For Sale"? Man! I love John Snow. Anyway, don't miss "The Power of Nightmares" this week on BBC2.
stereotype*/noun[countable],a fixed idea about a particular type of person or thing, which is often not true in reality.(oxford word power dictionary)
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