TEHRAN -- Turkish Ambassador to Tehran Hicabi Kırlangıç has met Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Abbas Salehi to discuss the potential for enhancing cultural ties between the two neighbors.
Salehi said culture has always served as a stable bridge among nations, adding throughout history, there has always been a thread connecting Iran and Turkey.
The minister said the historical bonds could foster a special opportunity for advancing cultural relations between Iranians and Turks.
Salehi said 2025, designated as the cultural year for both Iran and Turkey, presents an opportunity to initiate positive developments in cultural ties.
His ministry, along with other cultural institutions, is prepared to take necessary actions to realize this goal, he said. 
“There are significant political, economic, and cultural commonalities that can assure both peoples of the continuity of our relationships.” 
Salehi said literary diplomacy could open new avenues for collaboration, particularly in developing literary ties into literary tourism. 
“Both nations boast respected literary figures. While Konya holds allure for Iranians, there are places in Iran that are equally valued by the Turkish people,” he said.
He touched on various literary events and book fairs held in Iran, saying “We must explore how to provide new opportunities for literary diplomacy.”
The minister also mentioned Iran’s Fajr festivals, saying they are a suitable platform for further cultural cooperation.
Salehi further cited religious diplomacy given the shared values between Iran and Turkey. 
The two countries, he said, are recognized by all Muslim nations, and their cooperation can help promote rational and compassionate interpretations of Islam, countering extremist narratives.
He also cited shared challenges related to the institution of family and environment, which could serve as the basis for mutual cooperation.
“Both Turkey and Iran possess vibrant cultural organizations, which can enhance cultural interactions,” he said, urging for new avenues to be explored in all these areas.
Kırlanıçı said despite being very close, Iranians and Turks do not properly appreciate this closeness. 
The ambassador highlighted similarities in customs, traditions, and history, despite the differences in language. 
“While Persian and Turkish belong to different language families, their structures share significant similarities,” he said, attributing this to the longstanding relations between the two cultures.
Persian, he said, has profoundly influenced Turkish, particularly in religious terminology. 
“We have learned many religious terms from Persian, and our prominent religious figures, like Imam Ghazali, hailed from the greater Khorasan region,” he said. 
He touched on the influence of top literary figures like Saadi, Hafez, Rumi, and Ferdowsi on Turkish culture. 
Kırlanıçı called for enhanced collaboration, especially in archaeology. He also  highlighted the importance of religious and mystical tourism for Turkish citizens.