The opening ceremony reflected the prestige and cultural significance of the institution. At the entrance to the building, decorated for the occasion, a tricolor ribbon had been stretched across the doorway. Before a large audience of invited guests and journalists, Queen Farah Pahlavi formally inaugurated the House of Iran by cutting the ribbon. The moment symbolized the beginning of a new chapter in Iran’s cultural diplomacy and its efforts to present its heritage and achievements to a wider international audience.
Following the ceremony, Her Majesty personally guided guests through the various sections of the building. The House of Iran occupied approximately one thousand square meters and had been carefully designed to serve multiple cultural purposes. Exhibition halls, lecture rooms, administrative offices, and areas dedicated to artistic and educational activities were integrated into a modern architectural framework intended to showcase both Iran’s ancient heritage and its contemporary development.
The House of Iran was founded by order of Shah Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, Aryamehr, with the objective of introducing Iranian civilization, culture, history, and artistic achievements to the people of France and to the countless visitors who came to Paris each year from around the world. Situated on the Champs-Élysées, one of the most famous avenues in the world, the institution occupied a highly visible location that ensured maximum exposure for its cultural activities.
