Niavaran

Yesterday was Revolution Day in Iran. I didn't really feel the need to be present at the Azadi Monument so I watched Ahmadinejad's speech that he held a few kilometers from here, broadcasted live on CNN. Far from the festivities, it was just a regular day.

The Friday before, we went to see a pre-revolutional historical site, just around the corner from where we live. A statues building that overlooks the park we like to stroll in, appears to be the old Summer Palace of the last Shah before the Revolution. The wardens explained about the historical items inside the palace. But later on another visitor told us that most of the items had not been there originally at the time the Shah was living there. The place had probably been robbed during the Revolution. Still, the government makes a big effort in presenting the palace and preserving it as a historical site.

The park between the palace buildings was filled with high white trees, birds chattering on their branches. Parrots. Bright green colored cheerful city parrots. The Palace looks over Tehran, in the back supported by snowy mountain tops. A wonderful sight and so peaceful, in spite of the busy traffic right outside the palace gates. I'm sure it must have been even more beautiful before the city of Tehran grew so enormously during the Revolution.

Enjoying tea and a delicious brownie under the white trees, we met an Iranian family. The father of the family was sad, walking the palace grounds, remembering the old days. You tend to wonder, how so many Iranians use their one-day weekend to visit the Shahs Summer Palace, just two days before Revolution Day. Would they be longing back to the time of the Shah or is it to remember what has been overthrown and to get ready to celebrate the 28Th anniversary of the Revolution?

Pictures of Niavaran Palace and Niavaran Artistic Centre