Isfahan Square 伊斯法罕的广场
Two weeks in Iran showed me the extent to which a country can be savagely demonised by the corporate free press. I was surprised by the contrast between what I saw, and what’s commonly portrayed in TV and newspapers. I hope my pictures have said at least a few words.
两个星期的南伊之游，让我领会到西方“自由传媒”的妖魔化力量，原来比想像中更巨大狠毒。像伊朗这类被围困孤立了的国家，一般人都没有亲身证明的机会。在受害人没有反驳能力的情况下，强大的国际喉舌更肆无忌惮，随意抹黑。
Iranians are by far the friendliest and warmest people I’ve met, with a spirit that defies sanction. That said, the ancient civilisation does face considerable internal dilemma and external challenges, threatening her olde worlde charm with polarising tensions.
不畏强权，蛮有骨气的伊朗人，极为热情友善，真诚好客，给我留下了深刻的印象。不过他们面对的内在矛盾和外来挑战也确实严峻。他们迷人的古风，能够在利字当头，炮弹当家，以浪费为时尚的现代世界站稳吗？
The wonderful dishes of Southern Iran can be a bit repetitious though:
lamb & chicken & lamb & chicken & lamb kebabs, with grilled fish, uh, as fresh as it comes in a desert 南伊朗的佳肴倒有点儿单调：羊鸡羊鸡羊羊鸡 间中也可以来条烧鱼，不过在沙漠吃鱼，还是不要太挑剔好
Under the "bridge over dried up river" in Isfahan 伊斯法罕干枯了的河床上的旧桥风貌
Like most old countries, Iran’s most impressive asset and potential lie in her history and people (and oil, in her case). Persia’s long history has a strong religious DNA though, more recently (for the past ten centuries) dominated by Islam. Is a strict theocracy a viable option in the 21st Century? Should religious authority yield ground for an Islamic Republic with Iranian characteristics? These are pressing and critical questions that only Iranians can answer.
跟其他的古旧文明相似，伊朗最丰盛的资源是悠长的文化根底和人民的智慧。但伊朗的历史基因包含了浓厚的宗教成份，过去一千年更被伊斯兰教支配。一个神权国家，能够在现实的21世充分发挥竞争潜力吗？安拉是否应该稍为退让，待人民去摸索一个有“伊朗特色”的伊斯兰国家呢？这些重大问题，只有伊朗人才能作答。
Woman paying respect at the tomb of Cyrus the Great 游人在居鲁士大帝的坟前默祷
This cypress is one of the oldest trees on earth, estimated to be more than 4000 years old 这柏树是世上最老的树之一，有四千多岁了
If Allah and Satan would loosen their grips, I’m optimistic that the long-term future of Iran is augured by the bright smiles and warm hearts of her people. I wish them all the best.
如果安拉和撒旦两位手下留情的话，我深信波斯的长远前途一定会像伊朗人的笑容一样灿烂活泼。我衷心祝福他们。
The root of all troubles 一切烦恼的根源 Building 建设
Tomorrow 明天
Islamic Republic with Iranian characteristics? 有伊朗特色的伊斯兰国家？
Peace! 和平！
End of Impressions from Iran series 伊朗印象篇 就此完结
30.05.2014