Shopping day at the Bazaar of Isfahan, Iran - The 29th of October 2018

Morning breakfast with the extra fried eggs gave us the strength and stamina to venture into the bazaar and do some shopping, because the reality was that until then we had only bought a few souvenirs mostly for others and not necessarily anything special for ourselves. If there is a place where one can always find special and unique things to buy is Isfahan

We took some photos by a huge statue honouring handicraft and a few others by "the reader", which in my personal opinion is a rather interesting statue located in front of the Public Library of Isfahan.

We started at the Miniature Art Gallery of Hossein Fallahi where apart from having watched a young lady painting we also sellected some artisitc pieces of jewellery which  associate miniature painting with silver fillegree work. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We soon realised it was time to have lunch, which meant we had spent quite a while at Fallahi's. Soon after having eaten and though many of the bazaar stalls were closed we strolled around, having ended up at  some friends' stalls - Mustapha and Ali Reza's - to buy some Nomadic jewellery and a carpet respectivelly. On the way we were introduced to Fatma, who works at an antique shop, whose objects I fell in love with. I felt somehow tempted to buy a Nomadic coat and the whole thing which stood in the way was the weight ... it was particularly heavy and I honestly couldn't imagine myself carrying three or four kilos around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite being very different when it comes to personal style, both of us found things that pleased us immensely.

 

 

 

 

 

By the time we made it towards Mirdamad via Hasht Behesht it was getting dark and we were both tired though we still  had to get ready for a dinner invitation.

 

On the way back to Mirdamad via Se-o se Pol and the Hasht Behesht garden; the official handing out of the guitar and the Museum of Music concert - Isfahan, Iran - The 28th of October 2018

 

As we made our way "home" via the famous Se-o se pol I got a call from the manager of the Museum of Music stating that one of the owners, Mr Shahriar was willing to officially have me hand out the guitar from the Northern part of Portugal I had promised the Museum that same evening, followed by a typical Iranian music concert.

 

 

Knowing that Hamid and his children had never been to the Museum and bearing in mind a particular interest on the part of his little boy, who is learning how to play "Ney" I decided to invite them over for the ceremony.

 

 

The story behind the handing out of a guitar to the Museum of Music had started the year before, when the guide prompted me which instrument was missing in the International instrument section (a Portuguese guitar), to which I responded the Museum would have one the next time I went back to Isfahan. Later that time and whilst talking to one of my brothers about it he let me know that one of his patients did actualy make guitars. What I didn't know then is that he unexpectedly had a typical guitar from the North (Amarante) made and personally bought for the Museum of Isfahan. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before leaving our hosts' home (who had returned that day from Tabriz) I let them take a photo with Hamid holding the guitar, once they were as happy and honoured as I was to finally have a Portuguese instrument on display in the Museum of Music. 

 

 

 

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Shahriar, whom I had only spoken on the phone to before. Because there would still be some time till the concert, Klara, Sarah, Hamid, Rohan, Romina and myself did the tour of the various chambers under the direction of a female guide I later saw playing an instrument at the concert. In fact Mr. Shahriar was the lead singer (with a powerful voice), as well as a kamanche player. The female manager we had been with in the morning, herself an architect, was equally a tar player.

 

 

 

 

 

If  many Iranians did surprise before as far as their multiple and versatile skills are concerned, they do not anymore because I have come to accept that many people either play an instrument or do some sort of artistic work irrespective of their academical background.

 

 

The concert was one I will reember for a long time, not only because it was associated with an honouring situation but also because of the strength of the musical quality and variety the group showed to have, as well as the effect it had on everyone who was present (I am sure).

 

 

 

 

 

I wish my brother (who had made some of these moments possible) was present to feel what I felt.