Portrait of iran 2022

I first discovered your beautiful country as a street photographer in 2017, and then twice again in 2022. Although I was an uninvited guest, I was warmly welcomed and accepted by the people. I tried to connect with Iranians in an unbiased way and with as much diversity as possible. Through my visual interactions, I realized that all Iranians regardless of their political views or appearance deeply love Iran and strive to preserve their culture.
I found the city of Mashhad to be the most fascinating place for photographer very different from how it is often perceived in the West. The perfect balance between tradition and modernity, the youth’s embrace of modernism, and the city's architecture left a deep impression on me. In Mashhad, I took many photos around the Imam Reza shrine, the Astan Quds gardens, Sajjad Boulevard, and also in the underprivileged neighborhood of Golshahr. I spent a great deal of time inside the Imam Reza shrine, and although I am not Muslim, I was honored to have lunch in the kitchen of the holy shrine.
I hope that through my work, I have shown my respect for the beauty and traditions of Iran. I made every effort to treat all segments of Iranian society with equal dignity, based on my beliefs. Due to my interest in Iran, I continue to study the Persian language in Paris, and I hope to have the opportunity to visit Iran again soon in order to deepen my understanding of the country.

Alexandre Arminjon