12th Shiraz Festival of Arts

Poster for the 12th Shiraz Festival of Arts from 1978, the 12th festival was scheduled to run from September 3 to 12, 1978, but political unrest and security concerns led to its cancellation. 

The festival was subsequently banned entirely in 1979 when the new Islamist regime took power. It was a major cultural project under the patronage of Shahbanu Farah Pahlavi that brought together traditional Persian and contemporary avant-garde arts from around the world. 

Known for a unique graphic design style that incorporates traditional Iranian cultural elements, such as Persian calligraphy (like Nastaliq script), miniature paintings, and ancient motifs. Ghobad Shiva's posters are often valued for their artistic and cultural merits long after the events they were meant to announce. 

Added by Natalia Jimenez for the History of Graphic Design course at Farmingdale State College-SUNY.  Professor Roshanak Keyghobadi.