Stranger in Tehran

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Top Posts & Pages

  • Worst Books and Movies About Iran
    Worst Books and Movies About Iran
  • Express Persian Course
    Express Persian Course
  • 10 Instagram Accounts to Follow Before Travelling to Iran in 2020
    10 Instagram Accounts to Follow Before Travelling to Iran in 2020
  • Top Iranian Movies: The Salesman Film Review
    Top Iranian Movies: The Salesman Film Review
  • Yalda Night in Iran: 5-Step Guide to Celebrate the Longest Night of the Year
    Yalda Night in Iran: 5-Step Guide to Celebrate the Longest Night of the Year
  • Fajr Film Festival_logo
    About Iran,  Culture,  Iranian Cinema

    Iranian Cinema: An Overview of Fajr Film Festival

    January 29, 2018 /

    Fajr Film Festival may not be a well-known film festival in the world, but it is definitely a significant event inside Iran. Interestingly, not only people from cinema industry, but ordinary people as well (mostly younger generation) try to attend as many film screenings as possible. Read up to the end to find out why. As in Iranian cinemas you can see only Iranian movies (well, with rare exception), and even Iranian TV channels show a very small percent of foreign movies, Iranian cinema industry has to fulfill these needs and produce a huge number of films, animated films and documentaries. I`ve come up with interesting statistics that will help you imagine the scale of…

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    Katya 0 Comments

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    christmas mood

    Feel Christmas Spirit in Tehran!

    December 21, 2015
    Redfis

    Nowruz: Persian New Year Traditions

    March 17, 2020
    Tehran tourism fair

    Guide to Events in Tehran: The International Tourism Fair

    March 12, 2016
  • Niavaran Palace
    Explore Tehran

    Guide to Tehran Palaces: Niavaran Palace

    November 25, 2017 /

    You can`t imagine visiting Tehran without seeing one of Tehran palaces. Tehran has been the capital of Iran for around 200 years and has seen many shahs, each of whom wanted to build a palace more beautiful than previous shahs. Golestan, Sadabad and Niavaran palaces remain the most popular and significant tourist attractions in Tehran. Each of them can offer its visitors several palaces from different historical periods as well as a range of museums. So I`ve decided to write a complete guide for each palace complex to help you decide which palaces and museums to visit. In this article I`ll tell you about Niavaran palace and its museums. Sahebgheraniyeh…

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    Katya 0 Comments

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    Moghaddam Museum of Tehran

    Moghaddam Museum of Tehran: An Oasis of Peace in the Hustle of Tehran

    May 19, 2016
    Grand Bazaar_Featured

    Ultimate Guide To Tehran Grand Bazaar

    February 19, 2016
    It`s a pleasure to have a picnic by the river.

    One Day Trip From Tehran: Shahrestanak

    November 25, 2014
  • Ashura in Tehran
    About Iran,  Culture,  Like a Local

    Ashura in Iran: What to Do on Ashura in Tehran

    September 29, 2017 /

    Moharram is a month during which Iranians and other Shia Muslims commemorate the death of Imam Hossein. The mourning reaches its culmination at Ashura, the tenth day of Moharram. I have already written about Ashura in Iran and mourning ceremonies organized on this occasion here and here. During several years I`ve been living in Iran, I have attended quite a number of ceremonies in different parts of Tehran (there are still areas uncovered though). Some attract hundreds of people, while others are attended only by locals. However, many foreigners hesitate to go out on the day of Ashura which is the culmination of Moharram mourning ceremonies. Maybe, they are afraid of Iranians…

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    Katya 2 Comments

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    Fajr Film Festival_logo

    Iranian Cinema: An Overview of Fajr Film Festival

    January 29, 2018
    Shab-e Yalda

    Yalda Night in Iran: 5-Step Guide to Celebrate the Longest Night of the Year

    December 19, 2016
    Redfis

    Nowruz: Persian New Year Traditions

    March 17, 2020
  • Like a Local

    Best Android Apps Made in Iran

    July 22, 2017 /

    Although Iran seems to be cut off from the outside world by the sanctions and political situation, it remains a dynamically developing country. A huge part of Iranian population is formed by young people who use smartphones on everyday basis. However, due to filtering restrictions and lack of English knowledge, most Iranians just can`t use some popular smartphone apps. That`s why the demand in quality, authentic apps that would satisfy Iranians` needs is rapidly rising. In this article I`m going to introduce best Android apps made in Iran and designed by Iranian developers which I believe, will help you understand Iranian culture and Iranians much better. So, let`s take a…

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    Katya 1 Comment

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    Ice cream_Featured

    What Is the Best Ice Cream Shop In Tehran, or Ultimate Guide to Iranian Ice Cream

    October 9, 2016
    Protests in Saqqez_title

    Ways of Protest in Iran

    December 5, 2022
    Grand Bazaar_Food_Featured

    Ultimate Guide to Tehran Grand Bazaar. Part 2: Food

    February 27, 2016
  • Tehran Event Guide - July
    Events in Tehran

    Tehran Event Guide: July at a Glance

    June 30, 2017 /

    Summer is on its peak, and the best way to spend these days is to seek shelter in galleries, cinemas, cafes or somewhere in the mountains to the north from Tehran. In this post I`ll provide recommendations for cultural events and galleries in July. One of the most curious events this month is certainly Tribute to Abbas Kiarostami Event organized by Iranian Artists Forum. It includes demonstration of the most famous Kiarostami`s films as well as scenes from his last film which was never finished, 24 Frames. The entrance is free, so don`t miss a chance to watch these films in the company of Kiarostami`s fans. Of course, if you understand at least…

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    Katya 0 Comments

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    Tehran Event Guide-February

    Tehran Event Guide: February at a Glance

    February 1, 2017
    Tehran Event Guide-May

    Tehran Event Guide: May at a Glance

    May 1, 2017

    Tehran Event Guide: March at a Glance

    March 3, 2017
  • Tehran Event Guide-June
    Events in Tehran

    Tehran Event Guide: June at a Glance

    June 1, 2017 /

    Hey there! Happy Ramadan! Hope you are doing fine with not being able to eat out these days. However, staying in Iran during Ramadan is not as difficult as it may seem. If you don`t agree, take a look at one of my posts about Ramadan and find out How Not to Starve During Ramadan. As you might have noticed, this month`s highlight is Ramadan. This month is truly special for all Iranians – not matter how religious they are. It has its own traditions, and of course, yummy treats, which all Iranians enjoy. So, let`s take a closer look at what to do during Ramadan. Although Ramadan is the month of…

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    Katya 0 Comments

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    Tehran Event Guide - November 2016

    Tehran Events Guide: November 24-30

    November 23, 2016
    Event Guide-December-2

    Tehran Events Guide: December 15-21

    December 15, 2016
    Event Guide - December -1

    Tehran Events Guide: December 8-14

    December 7, 2016
  • Restaurants in Iran
    Like a Local

    Cheat Sheet on Iranian Restaurants and Street Food

    May 27, 2017 /

    For foreign tourists who are new to Iran it might be a bit hard to choose a restaurant as they don`t know what prices, quality and cuisine to expect from them. However, the cheat sheet on Restaurants and Street Food in Iran is there to help you understand what food options you have in Iran and always feel confident while entering a restaurant that the price on the check won`t exceed your budget. Moreover, in this cheat sheet you will find various street food options that are usually available all over Iran. Some can be a life saver for vegetarians or those who are sick and tired of rice with kebabs…

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    Katya 0 Comments

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    Best Android Apps Made in Iran

    July 22, 2017
    Ashura in Tehran

    Ashura in Iran: What to Do on Ashura in Tehran

    September 29, 2017
    Qazvin Guide-12

    Cheat Sheet On Iranian Food: Eat Out Like A Local

    July 8, 2016
  • Tehran Event Guide-May
    Events in Tehran

    Tehran Event Guide: May at a Glance

    May 1, 2017 /

    In May Tehran, and the whole Iran, is in blossom. And it`s the right time to take a walk in Tehran`s multiple parks and gardens (like Moghaddam House which is stunning in this season) or even head outside Tehran and visit some highland villages sunk in gardens like Vardij and Varish villages and Shahrestanak village, or set off on a longer trip to the Caspian Sea, Gilan or Golestan provinces popular for their extensive forests (exactly what I am planning to do next week!). Anyway, if you decide to stay in Tehran, there are still plenty of things to do in May. And in this Tehran Event Guide you will find out more about some…

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    Katya 2 Comments

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    Tehran Event Guide-February

    Tehran Event Guide: February at a Glance

    February 1, 2017
    moharram tea

    Moharram. The time for mourning: Food

    October 31, 2014
    Event Guide - December

    Tehran Events Guide: December 1-7

    November 30, 2016
  • Events in Tehran

    Tehran Event Guide: March at a Glance

    March 3, 2017 /

    In March it`s all about Nowruz, the start of a new year. Nowruz is the biggest and oldest holiday celebrated in Iran. It takes a month of preparations and two (!) weeks of celebration. So it might be a good idea to celebrate with Iranians. Although most Iranians spend these long holidays travelling, there are a lot of special Nowruz events held in every city, but I would recommend to stay in Tehran as other cities become overcrowded during the holidays. This month`s Tehran Event Guide will be dedicated to Nowruz holidays and how to take the most out of them.

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    Katya 0 Comments

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    Event Guide-December-2

    Tehran Events Guide: December 15-21

    December 15, 2016
    Tehran Event Guide - November 2016

    Tehran Events Guide: November 24-30

    November 23, 2016
    moharram tea

    Moharram. The time for mourning: Food

    October 31, 2014
  • The Salesman_Featured
    Iranian Cinema

    Top Iranian Movies: The Salesman Film Review

    February 10, 2017 /

      Photo: imdb.com Writing a film review is completely new to me. However, my deep appreciation of Iranian cinema and its growing popularity in other countries have motivated me to give it a try. I`ve decided to start with one of the most recent top Iranian movies – The Salesman.   The latest film of world-famous, award-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi called The Salesman was a sensation at Cannes Film Festival last year winning two awards (Best Screenplay and Best Actor). The Salesman managed to win several other awards and is now running for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars. It is Farhadi`s seventh feature film which tells the…

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    Katya 6 Comments

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    Fajr Film Festival_logo

    Iranian Cinema: An Overview of Fajr Film Festival

    January 29, 2018
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About Me

I`m Katya, and I am here to share my insights on life in Iran as well as tips and tricks for travelling Iran!

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FALL IS FINALLY HERE! And what is fall for you? I FALL IS FINALLY HERE!

And what is fall for you? Is it all about pumpkins & streets covered in read & yellow leaves? Or is it also a never-ending rain? 

#fallseason🍁
I always thought that the Persian language changed I always thought that the Persian language changed significantly in the past 150 years. But when I read Nasreddin-Shah's travelogue from his first tour around Europe, I realized that it didn't change much. Here are 3 words that are still commonly used in Iran.

#persian
I started to capture everything I saw in Iran from I started to capture everything I saw in Iran from the day 1 I moved here. And this habit has stayed with me until now. At first, I tried to captured everything that drew my attention and shared it on social media and my blog. I even invested in a better camera to make better photos for the blog. 

But I always saw photography as a tool to capture better photos of Iran. In the past couple of years, though I realized that it doesn`t necessarily has to be Iran that I capture. It can be anything, and only then I realized that it has turned into a passion.

While Iran is still the main subject in my photos (you can`t get away from it here in Iran, right?), I have been trying to look deeper and from time to time to take photos of sights or things that characterize Iran, but rather take photos of places, people or things that doesn`t necessarily show off their Iranianness, but are beautiful and interesting the way they are.

Recently, my friend and photography buddy cait_lens and I went on a photography walk, and here is what I got. There is a long way ahead of me to gathering the needed knowledge, taste and courage to capture everyday life, but I`m determined to work on it.

#photographylover
And how many words for 'to cry' can you name? *Wh And how many words for 'to cry' can you name?

*What I mean by a typical Iranian novel is a novel telling a story of a woman from her childhood till old age, usually a woman who is being oppressed by men until she finally meets the love of her life who saves her.

#learnpersian #advancedpersian #iranianliterature
This has been the strangest flight I have ever bee This has been the strangest flight I have ever been on!

The morning started with a drone being hit around Moscow. We were already on the way to the airport, so we found out about it only when we arrived.

The sky over Moscow was closed, so no flights were able to come in. Our flight kept being delayed again & again. But we finally managed to fly out with a 4-hour delay. We were lucky though, because the flight a couple of days before us had a 24-hour delay or something.

The flight started with 3 salawats called out by one of the passengers. And that was the first time I heard it happening on a Moscow-Tehran flight. Actually, I was surprised to see a few Iranians doing namaz waiting for the flight. The percentage of women in full hijab was unprecedentally high. 

While before Moscow was a travel destination for middle-class tourists and students, now, it seems, it's mostly official delegations (along with their families sometimes) who travel to Moscow.

The airplane was absolutely full which doesn't happen on this route this time of the year. It rather happens on the flights to Moscow when Iranian students go away for their studies.

Beside all said, I saw a few familiar faces on the plane which also doesn't happen a lot.

What was the strangest flight YOU have ever been on?

#flightstories #flightlog #flight✈ #iran #иран #москватегеран #тегеран
The 20-day difference between the Iranian & Gregor The 20-day difference between the Iranian & Gregorian calendar can come in handy sometimes. Not only summer ends in Iran later, but also summer weather will stay till mid-October!

#summertime #iran
شادی های سبز شادی های سبز
Havij-bastani is probably the best thing you can d Havij-bastani is probably the best thing you can drink on a hot day - refreshing & insanely delicious! 

Luckily, in Iran, you can buy this treat at every juice stand or ice cream shop.

Want to know more about Iran? Follow me @stranger_in_tehran for more stories from Iran!

#havijbastani #iranianfood
Here is a tip your Persian teacher outside Iran wi Here is a tip your Persian teacher outside Iran will never teach you!

I'm Katya & I have been living in Iran for 10+ years! Here I'm sharing scenes from everyday life in Iran, helping you understand Iranian culture & teaching some Persian along the way.

#irooni #iranian
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