Takhti and the Zurkhaneh

The British Museum in association with the Iran Heritage Foundation

A study session that will focus on Takhti, the famous Iranian wrestler with a view to offering a contemporary perspective on Iranian history, religion and culture. The speakers will discuss the significance of Takhti and the Zurkhaneh, the traditional gymnasium where wrestling and other sports are practised, and its significance in contemporary Iranian art. At the heart of this study session is a special display of Khosrow Hassanzadeh's 'Takhti', recently bought by the British Museum and currently on display in Room 3.

There will be a free demonstration of traditional Iranian sports by the 'Zurkhaneh Iran Bastan' in the Great Court between 14.00 & 16.00

Please note that the programme is subject to change

10.00-10.30 Coffee and registration

10.30-11.00 Introduction - Takhti: a modern Iranian hero
Venetia Porter, British Museum

11.10-11.35 Zurkhaneh and its significance in terms of Iranian identity:
elements of Shiism, Sufism and Iranian nationalism
Lloyd Ridgeon, Reader in Islamic Studies, University of Glasgow

11.45-12.15 Between Hussein and Rostam: representations of masculinity
in contemporary Iranian art
Shiva Balaghi, independent scholar

12.25-12.50 Artist Khosrow Hassanzadeh speaks about his work
(in Persian with translation)

£8 - BM Members
£5 - Concessions

British Museum Ticket Desk in person or
Tel: +44 (0)20 7323 8181
Email: tickets@britishmuseum.org