Kamangir (Archer)

Enemy at Home

Kamangir | June 29, 2006 | Category Iran

Faceless sculptures in Persepolis.

“A group of people injured by a terrorist bombing in Israel can seize the tablets from Persepolis” (see). Also see these (see) (see). To my understanding that’s another instant of trying to attack the Iranian government but harming Iranians instead. I can look at this incident from two very different perspectives. If I were a victim of an Israel-backed terrorist attack I would do everything to take revenge. In this framework I would see no difference between the Israeli government’s interests and the assets of the actual Israelis. So, in one sense, that’s their right. An Iranian identity has attacked them and they are asking for compensation from another Iranian identity. However, the problem is that these two identities do not have so much in common. As an Iranian I am aware that estimates say that the Islamic Republic has carried out over three hundred terrorist attacks outside Iran. While on the surface they deny any rule in specific incidents in Argentina, Lebanon, and a few other places, the assaults have actually been a part of the doctrine of transferring the revolution to the world. So, basically, nobody really rejects Iran’s rule in those “great achievements” against “devil forces”. But, does the Islamic Republic own Persepolis (see)? Obviously, not. Does it have any sense for it? Unfortunately, not. When you visit Persepolis, and also other historical sites in Iran, beyond the glory of the monuments you observe another interesting piece of evidence. Actually, there are signs of destruction everywhere. I refer for example to the fantastic Ali Qapu palace in Isfahan (see), with a pool in its third floor which has a plumbing system to make a fountain using a far hill. The building, which is built couple of hundreds of years ago, has other engineering miracles like a resonance room which amplifies the music being played in another room, to let the king have a good time with his wives. However, when you visit the building today you get shocked by the tiles and paintings destroyed here and there. Similarly, many of the sculptures in Persepolis have no face. Thanks to the Islamic invasion of Iran and also to the Islamic Republic many people have felt the obligation to go there and destroy the “idols” and “signs of the kings”. Having this enemy at home I doubt if Iranians need any more outside.

Thanks to Empty Frame (see) for the link and the comment.

Resonating chambers in Ali Qapu