The main purpose of the visit was to inaugurate the discovery of glazed bricks bearing bull and dragons motives on the Tol-e Ajori gate, near Persepoli, made by an Italian-Iranian archaeological mission co-directed by Prof. Callieri from Bologna University and Prof. Askari Chaverdi from Shiraz University. The Tol-e Ajori site, after all preservation works are completed, will become the first stop for visitors to Persepoli, bearing a valuable testimony to the Italian-Iranian cooperation in cultural heritage preservation.
During the official mission, Ambassador Perrone has also visited the restoration work carried out in Persepoli by the Italian association “Restauratori Senza Frontiere”, as well as the archaeological area of Firuzabad, where Italian archaeologists have conducted archaeological surveys and are planning to develop sustainable tourism. Thanks to Bologna University, the monuments of Firuzabad have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2018.
Ambassador Perrone has also held, during his stay in Shiraz, official meetings with the mayor of the city and the Governor of Fars province to discuss cultural initiatives and prospects for bilateral economic cooperation in different areas.
The Italian Ambassador also visited the Shiraz University of Technology where he meet with the President of the University to discuss opportunities for academic cooperation with Italian universities.