The symbolism of Persian rug designs.

From them we would expect ferocity and pride and instead emerge above all protection and sympathy: the king of animals, emblem of pride and courage is not aggressive but almost makes you smile. Tomorrow, 21 December, at the 17 inaugurates the exhibition "The lions of Shiraz. Exhibition of Qashqai carpets »at the Ghalibaf Gallery in Corso Vittorio Emanuele 38. The idea is Taher Sabahi, one of the leading experts in carpets in the world, together with Generoso Urciuoli, archaeologist and independent curator.

They are 13 fine artifacts made between the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century, collected in 40 years of travel in Iran.

The date chosen for the inauguration is not accidental: the December 21 is a special occasion for Persian culture and for the Iranians, at home or in the diaspora. With the winter solstice is celebrated the festival of Shab-e Yalda, the night of birth: a millennial Zoroastrian feast, linked to the cult of Mitra, deity associated with the sun and light. It is the longest night of the year: it is celebrated in the company of relatives and friends, consuming pomegranates and dried fruit. And often we read verses, especially those of the poet Hafez of Shiraz, in which the lion is often the protagonist.