Iran's artists urged to depict war

The 'army of artists' urged to portray the war with Iraq

By BBC Monitoring's Tom Mulligan

Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Khamenei has called on the country's artists to depict the eight year war against Iraq in all its dimensions - even if it takes 80 years.

In a speech shown on Iranian television, he said that now that the army of soldiers had done its task, it was time for the "army of artists" to do theirs.

The Ayatollah said artists should portray the thousands of events that took place in the war - which lasted from 1980 to 1988 - with a "precise vision" to create a lasting legacy for future generations.

In cities across Iran, wall murals depicting the "martyrs" of the war look down upon the population with messages from religious leaders.

The human soul must be free of binds to attain a lofty human status and freedom

My dear Khomeini: we will never let down the banner you raised

The art of the men of God is martyrdom (Khomeini)

Khomeini looks down on the martyrs of the war

My martyred father, no flower smells sweeter than you