Title: Laleh Eskandari: Weaving Artistic Heritage into Tehran’s Urban Identity
In a celebration of art and cultural perseverance, a ceremony was held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the Mellat Cinema Complex to honor Laleh Eskandari, a prominent figure in Iranian cinema and television. The event, part of the second night of the International City Film Festival, was attended by numerous artists and highlighted a unique chapter in Tehran’s urban development.
A Vision for a More Colorful City
During an interview with TV Plus network on the sidelines of the ceremony, Eskandari shared the story behind her significant, yet often uncredited, contributions to the city’s landscape. “I always wanted to bring color into the urban space,” she revealed. “This was a very difficult task because the municipality believed this was a man’s job!”
Persistence Paves the Way for Public Art
Undeterred by initial resistance, Eskandari’s dedication led to a breakthrough after three years of negotiations. “Finally, in 2007, we succeeded in directing urban art towards tile-work,” she stated. This pivotal achievement allowed her and her colleagues to execute over 5,000 square meters of artistic work across various districts of Tehran, integrating traditional Persian motifs into the city’s fabric.
The Legacy Beyond a Signature
Eskandari also addressed the complex dynamics that public artists can face. She noted that in many instances, her name was removed from the artworks she created. The prevailing view of the city council at the time was that since these pieces were permanent city fixtures, crediting the artist would constitute personal promotion. Despite this, her extensive body of work remains a lasting and integral part of Tehran’s visual identity, demonstrating how individual artistic endeavor contributes to the nation’s rich cultural tapestry.