Tabriz
Tabriz (Persian: تبریز) is a city in north-western Iran with a population of 2.2 million people. Tabriz is situated north of the volcanic cone of Sahand south of the Eynali mountain. It is the capital of East Azarbaijan Province.
Tabriz is the main cultural centers of the Iranian Azarbaijan, and most of its people are Azari-speaking people of Azari origin. The main language in the city is Azari.
Historically, the founding of the city is shrouded in mystery. Some sources mention the Sassanid era, while others claim that it had been built by one of the wives of Harun al-Rashid. Tabriz was the capital of the Ilkhanate empire from about 1270 to 1305, of the Aq Quyunlu from about 1469 to about 1502, and of the Safavids from 1502-1548. It also fell under Ottoman rule during the time of the Safavids.
Also some other strong resources based on new founds, shows even longer history on this part. Indeed, strong evidence from British Egyptologist and historian David Rohl suggests that the Biblical Garden of Eden was situated here. His findings were published in his book Legend: The Genesis of Civilisation and then made into a documentary for the Discovery Channel.
Violent earthquakes have wiped out most of the historic monuments of Tabriz. The chief survival is the Tabriz Citadel (Ark-e Tabriz or Ark-e Ælishah), a ruin of vertical book-shaped elements. The Blue Mosque of Tabriz (Göy-Mæčid), is another important monument in the city.
Tabriz is where the constitutionalists of Iran were centered during the early 20th century. An American who died defending the Constitutional Revolution, Howard Baskerville, is buried in Tabriz. The famous Iranian historian and philosopher, Ahmad Kasravi, was born in a nearby village called Hokmavar. Samad Behrangi famous Azerbaijani writer, and musicians like Ali Salimi, Vahid Houseini, Ostad Bigjeh Khani were tar specialists.
Tabriz has a climate not unlike that of Denver, Colorado. The weather gets very hot in the summer and very cool in the winter.
Culture
The music and folksongs of Tabriz are popular and traditions have a long history among its people. The handicrafts in the Bazaar of Tabriz, and in particular the Tabriz rug is famous world-wide, and Tabrizis celebrate many holidays such as Norooz in their own distinctive special ways.
Tabriz also has a special place in Persian literature, as the following sample of verses from some of Iran's best poets and authors illustrates:
عزیزی در اقصای تبریز بود
که همواره بیدار و شبخیز بود
A beloved lived in Tabriz away from sight,
who was always alert and awake at night
―Bustan of Sadi
تا به تبریزم دو چیزم حاصل است
نیم نان و آب مهران رود و بس
As long as I live in Tabriz, two things I need not worry of,
The half loaf of bread and the water of Mehran-rud are enough!
―Khaqani
Famous Tabrizis
- Qatran Tabrizi, poet
- Ahmad Kasravi, politician and author
- Samad Behrangi
- Sattar khan, nationalist revolutionary leader
- Gayk Bzhishkyan
- Kazem Sadegh-Zadeh
- Parvin E'tesami, poetess
- Karim Bagheri, soccer star
- Iraj Mirza, poet and famous politician
- Maqsud Ali Tabrizi
- Baqer khan nationalist revolutionary leader
- Ivan Galamian
- Hassan Roshdiyyeh
- Shams Tabraiz, mystic
- Vartan Gregorian, President of Carneggie Corporation
- Ali Salimi
- Ali Soheili, Prime Minister of Iran
- Ebrahim Hakimi, Prime Minister of Iran
- Mahmud Jam, Prime Minister of Iran
- Asadi Tusi is buried here
- Colonel Pesian, military leader
Education
Tabriz University is one of Iran's most prestigious schools of higher education. Tabriz also is where Tabriz National Library is located. A list of the colleges and universities in the city follows:
- Sahand University of Technology
- Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
- Tabriz University of Tarbiat Moallem
- University of Tabriz (website)
- Islamic Azad University of Tabriz
- Tabriz Islamic Arts University
- University College of Nabi Akram
References
- North, S.J.R., Guide to Biblical Iran, Rome 1956, p. 50
- http://www.azerb.com