Wherever I am, the world comes after me.
It offers me its busyness. It does not believe that I do not want it.
Now I understand 
why the old poets of China went so far
and high 
into the mountains, then crept into the pale mist.
"The Old Poets of China" by Mary Oliver

The UP Asian Center will be hosting a free exhibit, ‘Persian Artistry: A Calligraphy and Handicrafts’ from 14 to 16 February 2017, at the Philippines and China Halls, Hall of Wisdom, UP Asian Center. Exhibit opens at 9:30 am, 14 February. Admission is freem but participants are encouraged to register online.

THE EXHIBIT

On display will be the works of calligraphy of Mrs. Tandis Jafari Malak, an Iranian artist currently based in the Philippines. During the exhibit opening, participants can also watch an on-site demonstration, where they can observe the styles, strokes, techniques that make Persian calligraphy such a sophisticated art form.

Also part of the exhibit are various Iranian artists’ works on enamel, metal engraving, sculpture, ceramic art, pottery, wood carving, tile working, turnery on copper, and stone carving. Together, all these works give audiences a glimpse of the craftsmanship, ingenuity, and cultural history of Iran. 

Viewing hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

BOOK LAUNCH

The exhibit is also an occasion to launch Philippine-Iran Relations: 50 Years and Beyond, the new book published by the UP Asian Center and the Cultural Counselor, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Manila. VIEW TABLE of CONTENTS. Click on the photograph to enlarge. 

TENTATIVE PROGRAM

  • 9:30 AM: Registration
  • 9:45 AM: Opening and Welcome Remarks
  • 10:00 AM: Book Launch, ‘Philippine-Iran Relations: 50 Years and Beyond’
  • 10:30 AM: Ribbon-Cutting
  • 10:30 AM–12 NN: Calligraphy Demonstration

ORGANIZERS

This free exhibit is organized by the UP Asian Center; The Cultural Center, Islamic Republic of Iran; and the Philippine-Iran Cultural and Scientific Society (PICCS); Islamic Assocation of Iranian Students in Manila. 

INQUIRIES, VENUE and VICINITY MAP

For directions, please view this vicinity map and a Google Street View map. Inquiries may be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


The Asian Center offers M.A. degrees in Asian Studies with four fields of specialization: Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia. The Center also has an M.A. program in Philippine Studies that allows students to major in Philippine society and culture, Philippine foreign relations, or Philippine development studies. The Center offers a Ph.D. program in Philippine Studies in conjunction with the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. For an overview of these graduate programs, click here. The Asian Center also publishes Asian Studies: Journal of Critical Perspectives on Asia, the latest issue of which can be downloaded at the journal's website. For other news and upcoming events at the Asian Center, click here.