What 1st ah ah iran lose a vast country often called the cradle of civilization. From the persian gulf to the caspian sea, from snow kept Mountain Ranges to r a desert. Its the country both fertile and astir. A study in contrast, as is the culture and way of life, of its 80000000 inhabitants a country and its people. A run at the intersection of tradition and change a country with few outside visitors. For many foreigners. Iran is the place of paradox and myth. But it is home to a 1000 year old culture in which a variety of lifestyles, traditions, and religions co exist. Mountain ranges, desert plateaus, the plains, and valleys of the east, filmed from above. This spectacular landscape serve as a lens on to the countrys history and its people. Ah, the mountains, wild and untouched, tamed unto masticated cover. One 3rd of irans territory their distant peaks have played an Important Role in the countrys history. Heading west towards the ed bought massif, the mountains have long served as a safe haven for many communities and a bulwark of resistance to invade us. And near to iran, the majestic mount dumb of an stance as the natural defense in front of the iranian capital. Heading south parallel to the border with iraq. The zak Ross Mountain range coincides with a stretch of the fabled silk road. Near the tuchman and Afghan Border and its Mountain Range is much hot. The capital of the region a famous pilgrimage destination for the she i its the mom, it is thus shrine, and its pilgrim donations. Have ensured much Hearts Development for centuries. Thanks to the inflow of craftsman, pilgrims and afghani, she either must what has become the 2nd largest eroni city and one of the wealthier once the complex of the shrine is of real tone within the town. Sheltering one of the largest most in the world. Molson turn key works there as a volunteer dedicated to the visitors and pilgrims, he embodies the tradition of islam, hospitality and solidarity. Mambo chanda says m. O. I tried to adapt my lifestyle to e. Mom resolves teaching memories. I said, dont get mad at people be kind to every was just dont ask for anything but dont get tired of others requests. What you wish for yourself, what we should also for others some the tim of the mom is a must visit for all she i asked to most and turkey a mom raises is all the more popular because hes the only islam religious leader to be buried in iran format up to that cuz i want to give it to paula want it in about as a child, i came here with my parents. Thats when i decided to volunteer at the emorys a shrine for them by depression and get out of that idea of blood drawn up a shot. The most important task of a volunteer is to guide the pilgrim. Just ask your time wisely from all your house. Theres good morning. Im horrible. Also you shall as it is, a religious sized main mission is to ensure their security. Im calling because i didnt want to amber on bits and im at auto ball valuable as the sean that he had more to man. I v a lot, he bit the number for the help of this one rosen neils going up ah, about 20 to 30000000 people visit the site every year. On holy days, up to 2000 fallen tears, i called for back up to inform and guide the visitors most and knows how to manage the crowds that flood in for the maitre islamic celebrations. Ah, a a angel this shrine is open to all my whole minorities and fates. Ideas. How your mouth, catholic, Muslim Christian . Soon i about she eyes are. All religions are welcome here on the water. The hot on the shock when the evening cool, so prayer resounds the most important of the day. The venue fills up not only was pilgrims, but with mush hut, citizens who come off to work move in a place of worship. Its also a place of hospitality sharing and above all solidarity. Its a gathering point, a place of contemplation and mindfulness for the citys inhabitants more than 12 centuries old, the Charitable Foundation that runs the shrine is the oldest in iran. Thanks to the foundations, health care campaigns, more than 1000000 people are said to have received to medical care ah, not far from to iran is the highest peak of both the elbows range and the entire country mount dumb of and ah, its the iranian mount fuji an ancient volcano dormant for 7000 years believe to have magical powers. At a height of 5671 meters, it dominates the landscape. Over the centuries, poets and writers have made mount dumb of and a symbol of resistance to foreign rule. Often called the sacred mountain, its peak is high enough that it remains snow topped even in the summer. The lar, National Park lies at the foot of the mountain. It boasts one of the richest Natural Habitats of all of irans nature reserve. The soil near the ancient volcano is unusually rich. Over the millennia volcanic eruptions have deposited minerals in the earth. This natural fertilizer and the warm and humid climate allow plant life to flourish. Here. The slopes of mount dom havent a home to countless flowering plants. The most famous iranian honey is produced here. Blue man dodged armine. As a beekeeper, he followed in his fathers footsteps, who passed on his love for bees and honey to him as a young boy. Hes now been keeping b for 30 years. More who did it . Around the 1st of june you sit were given a permit that lets us stay in lar park until september, 1st of that year. But my job is we can set up a camp top, but with tense only hum solely jody. When we do the mustnt otts and cabins are forbidden. Here on the road, we set up one or 2 tents. Go live here and tend to are behind your mamma. Ah said body, the bees make honey from time you milk. Fetch giant fennel and other flowers as you wish. Yeah, its an excellent honey but. Busy do we have such a diversity of flowers here with the honey we make also has medicinal properties. I said the old sham. A silly govern thanks to its divest climate and its abundance of flowering plant species. Iran is the worlds 3rd largest honey producer. Be keeping flourished here in the region, even at the dawn of islam. Honey is already described as the source of healing in the koran. In the 11th century, the persian philosopher and physician ivy, senna praised honey for its therapeutic properties. Ah, the unable yet being a beekeeper takes love double duty. Its a passion usual and it captures you just like a drug. It was the hum, gotta go to it. But some arms, i take the frames out of the hides to kiss them. Thats how much i love my b, not oh amanda simba ah toggle between them all moth hussey yard month when i go back to my tent. Because all my tiredness and fatigue disappear on a year or later, i listened to the dumb avant river m of on before the woodlands enjoying mount dom yvonnes beauty. All your rank and the magnificent flowers and the nature of that surrounds me. Here in the outdoors, lord ha, thats my life and the captain with all its joyce and hardships her saki, its a good life. Ra gm, god, it was evil you. Whether sham got it. Mm hm. Who didnt we do the bees are gods blessing their gods creatures. Guided us without the bees to pollinate plants and crops, the Natural World would disappear within 4 years or so. Our very existence depends on them in so annoyed company. Oh no, dont do a good job on em over as long as i have the strength to work with bes, ill remain a beekeeper quarters humble. Did he ah, mount dum avant, and the National Park, just a short distance away from tehran. The sissys climate is influenced by its geographical location at the crossroads between mountains and desert. In the north of the city, the air is cooler and humid in the south. A hot dry wind blows in from the desert. For to rons geographical location and its distance from old borders, helped to protect it from Foreign Invasion and allowed it to flourish. Off to a new dentist, he arose. The city became the new capital in 1786. Since then, the city has grown and industrialized at a breathtaking pace. Today, the metropolitan area is home to 15000000 people. The city is the economic and political heart of the country. It also boasts at iran landmark, the as a d o freedom, talent, and not far from its Historic District religious monuments and the bazaar. A vibrant urban district has emerged. The tubby at bridge is another emblem of the fresh wind blowing in iran. The pedestrian bridge links the abraham and the tale. Honey forest parks. The tubby ut, oh, nature bridge acts as an extension of the 2 parks merging into the landscape. The bold, multi level design does more than connect to parks it buses with life and draws people from across the city to its many leisure activities. What may come as a surprise. The tubby at bridge was designed by a young woman architect layla iraq in was just 26 and still a student when construction began in 2010. Ah, like layla, rocky on shiva, norbish also embodies the rainy and women of today. She is educated, speak several languages is socially engaged and is quietly determined to break boundaries. Today, iran has more female than male students in its universities exist to ha, education has expanded opportunities for women. Move on to saturdays on sundays, mclennan jonathan on a moving thing as the carriers to provide goals as they living in tehran. Im close to the mountains, the elbows Mountain Range and mount amazon is the highest peak in the country. The popular climbing is my passion, and i have access to all the best climbing sites. No. All right, charlotte, and also south of taura. Filial does wonderful crisis and near my city. Hm. I think it, i will days i can indulge in my passion. My favorite sporting pastry writing sizes for fathers. Sheila often goes climbing with her friend zebra. Shes havent. One of irans 1st women professional climates level number one is that if you dont even stop ticket by the name as an iranian my choice is my way of life. The path ive traveled might be regarded as unconventional, so most within my generations about the fact the while you might have of course, that was sometimes hard because i had to go against the flow the values but to get some more reassigned gain when youre climbing. When you touched the rock, the energy you feel is incredible. You see about how much climbing demand so much concentration that are really close to your heads calling you to mix. And when you go back home, youre full of energy. Ne, already has the magic and as you, as best of us land, i am with the shea roba. My they taught, i wanna, i was, i started climbing as a hobby, just like shiva. Find that, but i couldnt restrain myself. I know i got to day climbing is my life and im a professional climber auto restore fallon. So my climbing has let me travel the world. Just last summer i was in france to climb the ag. Do me deal and mom blown on our design. And i was part of the 1st independent rainy and team and the 1st iranian woman to climb the goals rojas following the walker spot. Thats when i get in joe robins, i my german colleagues were quite surprised that an iranian woman could climb that rock face to it on saying now ive been going. Cheever. And i to iranian women are both professional level climbers and as my burns are so corny, right, we can climb the same rock faces as men pay them going. Jonathan is the other to think a lot. A lot of girls are interested in mountain climbing. My felicity, its growing sport and i hope it will become more accessible to more people. They, me as it man, i hope so too. The topography of iran shaped of rocket landscape travelled by hordes of warriors through the ages as early as the late 9th century persian poet facto c sang the exploits of this historys heroes. Through the 60000 verses of his shawna may the book of kings he chronicles the adventures of these mythical warriors and a faithful mouse. To day ali good, she an ex horseback. All tree bull champion revived these legendary feet. No, no. Think all the time a jury, justine holy childish is shot bucklin im enoch, im month the place we are right now where our world renown Training Center is located but it is in the elbows range ratish house. Ill these mountains once had military significance, and man, ill tell them or he alamo to and telecom. Were 2 of the fortresses located hiroshima jangle goodies. Hi, change all day. Oh hey, theyve all been withheld, agile. Her alamba for the month of shamarka, told each to whom we know that iranians were one of the 1st people was to domesticate horses. And now that im alamba on chicken wash off, i seen a can eat on us are we have various breeds of whole set to talk to one nuclei. Rons best known breed is the caspian, which was rediscovered 56 years ago when it was thought to have been extinct, hold todays good, snazzy been name of an impish. Nobody cash flow to pick them, hits the common ancestor to many other breeds of horse around the world. V shiver been or he just definitely has asked why dont yells parking lot to kid. Recent studies have shown that every other breed, of course in the world, is somehow related to the caspian ya, yuki baggy of pony as us putting it on the courses play an Important Role. Any rounds, history and culture to day, early. Good. She on a Will Champion in horseback, archery teaches the technique to his students. Ah, as im unique, isabella cause a lot on kasey kid in late, historical representations, paintings or miniatures, often show indistinctly a man or a woman riding a horse, as on whether to hunt travel or fight. Ah, i saw lump you back straight and your head high. Ah, this is a side stretch and back bend during the parthian period in the 2nd century b. C. Horse women would ambush the enemy by hiding their boat under their clothes and they quiver under their long hair. They would leer the soldiers off to them before swiveling around on their saddle at full gallop and killing them with a fatal arrows. This is the parthian shot, one of the age old disciplines that ali good, she and still teaches to day any tissue. Then they come in a hearty side it. I wish all my father foster you draw the bow, the better will. Dont bother me. Corny never lose sight of the target was actually understood. Twin my sita, all musician english there are running. Shes the, the 1st thing i teach my students is to know themselves other than that comes 1st traditional fan only then can they get on a horse actimmune as we asked follow the next. They need to get to know the horse. I switch to and think about how they will work together, but im only about it on our jewel on that, on all that takes time and between. But eventually they already m as their teacher. I trust them enough to hold the target in my hand and let them shoot at it will only then all my students ready, bishop, as armando with man and you. My name is ali gucci on the and i am determined to keep this age or discipline alive in our modern world unless we come. The elbows. Mountains are a natural bull work, but they were not enough to repel the mongol invasion. In 1220 the city of ardor beale, which lies nestled in the mountains, was raised to the ground 300 years later otter beale rose from the ashes and became one of the bastions of surface m. A mystical form of islam. Ah ah ah, one of the most beautiful sophie monasteries in iran was built by chic sophie alden, the founder of the so far weed dynasty. The sheik was a spiritual leader of both the poor and the powerful. But he also drew his career. Mom from the citys location the Natural Beauty and Mountain Springs brought disciples from across iran, anatolia, and even india. The most spectacular room and the complex is the chimney. Her ne, the porcelain gallery, the hundreds of alcoves were originally designed to display the royal porcelain collection gifts sent by the chinese empress. Much of the collection was transported to the state Hermitage Museum in saint petersburg. After russia invaded iran in 18. 28. Ah. Further west Mount Sutherland overlooks irans, as i shan region at 4811 meters. Its a pass as the tallest mountain in the alps. More block, but its still only the 3rd highest peak in iran. Not salon is an active volcano with a crazy lake. At its summit, there are many hot springs on its slopes, said to have healing powers. The thermal springs have always drawn many visitors, even during the days of the old silk road. Ah, one of the most important trading posts was ta breeze, which drew people from far and wide, situated in a valley overlooked by Mountain Ranges, tub breeze grew into a commercial hub and multi cultural city. The bazaar here is one of the worlds oldest largest and most beautiful unesco World Heritage site. The complex houses several old mosques, the great jar may most is next door, and then they are all the thousands of market stores. Its passages link many former caravans arise and ins, in which travellers and merchants would stop and stay for the night. Ah, Amelia Jeffery comes from a family of carpets said his, but he decided to run a restaurant. Ah, was our composition the bazaar is central to the cities identity up . Is it anyone who wants to discover the city has to visit it . So were in a breeze when we want to meet with friends, we meet here. Ah daughter. Bizarre bert, im sure will. Sure. Numbers, its a covered space, but you dont feel wold in or toyota. This is when you come to the bazaar, you feel at home. I love your store to levels are done. Ah, 5, she says or no minister somewhere to pull. This is where i buy all the spices i use in my restaurant signature dish was there. This one is delivered viola my final off to upper overdose because option in this restaurant, chef amelia dishes draw on a blend of iranian and as they are by johnny influences app cushion, for example. As to you made of lamb and chick piece of which totally vishna us that there are 5 ingredients in this dish was fun. Beat, potatoes, chick. Peas, tomatoes and bits of egg glances on the 5 ingredients. Meat latinos, chick peas, tomatoes and bits of egg plans are simon for 8 hours a month. We only use high Quality Ingredients to get a quality dish valley under our little chip. This culinary and Cultural Diversity is that the core of the cities identity to this day to breeze is the commercial hub that helps bring together different communities and that exchange has helped make iran the ethnic and linguistic patchwork it is. Today. Im here with several of them were so much shopkeepers here i speaking turkish of elizabeth, surely la hon, milan still. Im iranian, which i love when im proud to still be able to speak my native language turkish marshall. And that below is how weve been able to hold on to our language and culture on the missouri. Thats what theyve told a new church. Global crucial moment of the year that she covers little to ship to breeds. We all help each other almost europe into home, which you wont see any beggars here through the chat with other probably heard of them on the should i, ron is a big country with many different languages and nationalities that all get along very well to big on the liberal, the tooth syndrome. Ah ah. Outside seabreeze, the ancient silk road that linked peoples and cultures continues to cross the mountains to the southwest. The mountains also offered an unusual refuge to people fleeing the mongol army some 700 years ago. They took to the cave to hide over the generations. They called the entire village of condo van into the volcanic rock at the foot of the sa hunt volcano. The homes are now known as cut on the word for bee hive in the local turkish dialect. Over the years, the villagers extended their dwellings today most are between 2 and full stories and include living space, storage rooms and shelter for animals. While some found refuge in the lava caves, others found peace and even more forbidding and remote mountain landscapes. In the far north west of the country, the monastery of saint to deus was established on a barren plateau. At an elevation of almost 2000 meters, the monastery complex dates mainly from the 13th century. But according to armenian tradition, sent a deus is built a church here and found at the monastery around the years. 66, same to days, also known as judas to days. Oh jude. The apostle is said to be buried here. Ah, and armenians who fled the genocide in turkey for iran, also sought refuge here. Ah, to day the orthodox monastery has a new neighbor, a muslim, sunny village, another symbol of the peaceful coexistence of religious communities in iran. A young muslim man from the village. Tense to the monastery. Ah, monday rou, salanda. I work for the iranian Cultural Heritage organization. Forum of a job career. Her, them, im a technician. I tend to the renovation us and maintaining the building. It was a goes by basically do i make all the necessary repairs to the masonry and the electric scholar, my one that i also tend to the cleaning about the vantage army. Kelly saw a church is the heart of our village who saw him out of the church, the village and the villagers are bound to each other. Like the links of a chain. Im getting for that lulu once a year, the church takes over daily life in the village. The monastery is a place of pilgrimage for orthodox armenian christians. Adomonion because had assault was assured that at armenians gather here from around the world, michelle to celebrate the in a bursary of saint today of his martyrdom it. Well, its a 3 day ceremony with baptisms blessings, wedding shot and processions around the church up or when they also sacrifice a land. John michelle been with us some that kids so so i remember when i was little and we children were afraid to enter the church. At the 1st time i was really inside the church was when i was 8. I did katie. So dusta. Oh, charge the church in the village or my home. I feel responsible to both of them because i grew up with them maybe. Ah, any math or the ambitious a kid is subtle. Jojo kelly, so you, im 23 and ive always lived here. Man, nist. In door a so, so mass will yet that was all you gotta be so so. So send out, i mean john mo, most of my childhood friends, the people i went to school with have left as they had other dreams slabs. How shall normally royal Latham Wooster for them when all the meat we eat comes from our herds, the animals we raise ourselves, she hits excellent dogs. The same goes for the milk. Know them our dog by women of this village work alongside their husband, said to call back one of either noon or even the bread is made with flour from our whitfield yard on this the further we cannot. We chose this life dental drink and we want to live it to the polish, even according to rachada. You well, the albert is my safe stretches across the north of iran. Theres acRoss Mountains form a natural border to iraq on the west. These craggy peaks and remote valleys, a home to the iranian province of kurdistan. The kurtz, or iran, 2nd largest minority, after the other by johnny turn. The region has its own distinct cultural and political identity, which it owes in part to its isolated geography. Villages are scattered in the mountains with unspoiled nature. As far as the i can see, the province is known for its forest. One of irans largest, 2nd only to the forest at the caspian sea. The fertile soil held sustain a bounty of oak trees, fruit, trees, and precious woods. A singular environment that helps give birth to an old tradition. Ah, ah, ah im sure big matilda. Both. I used to think that when a tree is felled, it dies. Believe rot, but now i know michelle the what is in the you the what a vish. But she did when a tree becomes a musical instrument, it lives on the oh. Ah, in the past, these instruments made of high quality local woods, were played by traveling bars and shannons music and song preserved. The old traditions and music itself is passed down from one generation to the next. But they all pioneers, like rockmart, a ye, me the 1st in his family to become an artist and craftsman, here in the regional capital of son and dutch. It as much builds and repairs Musical Instruments using the finest natural materials in the kurdish tradition. I love him and i was already working with wood, but it was mainly my interest in music that led me to stop building taz and other Musical Instruments made of wood. I decided to dedicate myself to making instruments stringed instruments because of my love for music. This was a i need that us is along originally. I wanted to be a musician myself, a whole bunch. But i couldnt find a good instrument here. Thats when i started becoming interested in making instrumentals in love. And finally i became a lute, make myself up. Ah, jim, on jazz this commentary is made with inlaid would love to show the i could imagine there are a 140. 00 strips of wood, different woods, she done and she does of credit to me about it. But my mom is arranging the strips on this Ground Surface so they fit together perfectly. Is very challenging about jen situation of cardboard. And all this would do i used our wall much were you and orange tree has fish not inch has fish the best. The next is decorated with ebony. Its a magnificent instrument message then ah, with that go to shave, quote this on us that hewick is something we could have in our blood. A hot air in my home. I to, to my, to my mom has this such a variety of melodies in curtis don. Every region has its own musical style, a young by law. Im fighting with. 7 further south, a cliff, hundreds of me says high overlooks the neighboring plain. Mm. These are touring, is located on the royal road that once lengthy iranian plateau to mesopotamia. In doris, the 1st built the commercial route in the 5th century b. More than 2500 kilometers long, it was intended to facilitate communication across his vast empire. With this bass relief more than 15 meters high and 25 meters wide, depict stories holding a bow with his foot on the chest of a man lying on his back in front of him. Roughly 1200 lines long. The inscription tells the story of how doris defeated the 9 lying kings who had tried to divide the persian empire. The monumental relief carved on the cliff about 60 meters above the plain was meant to send a message to his subjects. Im to future generations. Embracing past and present the people of iran live in harmony with their changing landscapes. Ah ha. Were making the headlines and whats behind them. Dw, news, africa, the show back. All the issues shaping the continent. Life is slowly getting back to normal. Yeah. Well, the seems to give you enough reports, im the insights our correspondence is on the ground reporting from across the continent. All the french stuff mapped out to you in 30 minutes on d w. Oh, i just got to use this with all say will gray. He will be able to news a vibrant habitat and didnt go listening place of longing, mediterranean c, a l mustard and to fall korean drift along, exploring modern lifestyles and the mediterranean meeting. People are hearing their dreams ready to eat journey this week. Do you w ah, this is d w. News ally from berlin horrific scenes in ukraines east. Investigators say they have uncovered evidence of torture and murder and a mass grave near the city of israel. The side is an area recently liberated from russian occupation, also coming up, people in lebanon, take drag