Pledge Special Viewer Guide Article

Public television stations have permission to reprint this article (with photos) in their viewer guides. Please note that there are four versions of the article: 490, 340, 210 and 135 words.

Check out downloadable publicity photos for the "Rick Steves' Iran" Pledge Special.

Rick Steves' Iran, Yesterday and Today [490 words]

Rick Steves, sharing his experience in a recent trip to Iran, calls it "the most poorly understood yet fascinating land" he's ever visited. In this special pledge program, Steves hosts us on a journey of discovery. His hope? To learn more about this perplexing nation whose government so exasperates America, and to gain a better understanding of the 70 million people who call Iran home.

This special, shot in glorious high-definition, shows the splendid monuments of Iran's rich past, as well as Iranian life today — in its giant metropolis, historic capital, workaday towns, and a countryside village.

Steves captures Persian culture vividly: from Friday prayer in a mosque to the nonconformist teen fashions at the mall; from anti-American murals to the hospitality of a family dinner; and from the tranquility of rural life to the crazy traffic of modern Tehran.

Rather than a political documentary dealing with the complex issues that confront our governments, "Rick Steves' Iran" is a travelogue designed to increase our understanding of an ancient nation that has been a leader in its corner of the world for 2,500 years.

Steves says, "After 30 years of world travel, I've learned that the best way to understand an unfamiliar culture is to visit and meet its people. My impressions were striking: the intensity of the streets of Tehran, the crowds of women covered head-to-toe in chadors, and the overwhelming friendliness of the people. I was awed by the domed mosques, saddened by the conformity of the university, energized by the youthfulness of the population, and impressed by the dramatic ancient sites."

"Sprawling Tehran — with its snow-capped peaks and chaotic traffic — gives mixed messages. Murals denounce the USA and Israel as evil empires, yet the people broke into smiles when they heard we were Americans."

"Esfahan is a city of grace. Its grand mosques are made of exquisite tiles. On Fridays they're filled with thousands of people praying in services that felt surprisingly similar to my church back home. Down by the river, families picnicked and strolled along the grassy bank. Bridges were crowded with convivial young people doing what seemed like a Persian paseo. It could almost be in Europe."

And Steves includes the grand site of Persepolis, which holds the ruins and tombs of a powerful ancient culture. This was the heart of the Persian Empire 2,500 years ago, when Persia ruled a vast area from Athens to India. Today this ancient capital is a major source of pride for the Iranian people.

Enjoying ice cream with religious leaders, marveling at the popularity of nose jobs for women, and witnessing the sorrow that blankets martyrs' cemeteries, Steves and his crew provide an intimate glimpse of Iran never before shown on American television. Steves believes that while there are no easy solutions to the problems confronting our two countries, surely getting to know more about this culture is a step in the right direction.

"Rick Steves' Iran" will air on KXXX, Thursday, January 15, 2009.

 

Rick Steves' Iran [340 words]

Rick Steves, sharing his experience in a recent trip to Iran, calls it "the most poorly understood yet fascinating land" he's ever visited. In this special created just for public television viewers, Steves hosts us on a journey of discovery. His hope? To learn more about this perplexing nation whose government so exasperates America, and to better understand the 70 million people who call Iran home.

This documentary, shot in glorious high-definition, shows the splendid monuments of Iran's rich past, as well as Iranian life today — in its giant metropolis, historic capital, workaday towns, and a countryside village.

Steves captures Persian culture vividly: from Friday prayer in a mosque to the nonconformist teen fashions at the mall; from anti-American murals to the hospitality of a family dinner; and from the tranquility of rural life to the crazy traffic of modern Tehran.

Rather than a political documentary dealing with the complex issues that confront our governments, "Rick Steves' Iran" is a travelogue designed to increase our understanding of an ancient nation that has been a leader in its corner of the world for 2,500 years.

Steves says, "After 30 years of world travel, I've learned that the best way to understand an unfamiliar culture is to visit and meet its people. My impressions were striking: the intensity of the streets of Tehran, the crowds of women covered head-to-toe in chadors, and the overwhelming friendliness of the people. I was awed by the domed mosques, saddened by the conformity of the university, energized by the youthfulness of the population, and impressed by the dramatic ancient sites."

Enjoying ice cream with religious leaders, marveling at the popularity of nose jobs for women, and witnessing the sorrow that blankets martyrs' cemeteries, Steves and his crew provide an intimate glimpse of Iran never before shown on American television. Steves believes that while there are no easy solutions to the problems confronting our two countries, surely getting to know more about this culture is a step in the right direction.

"Rick Steves' Iran" will air on KXXX, Thursday, January 15, 2009.

 

Rick Steves' Iran [210 words]

Rick Steves, sharing his experience in a recent trip to Iran, calls it "the most poorly understood yet fascinating land" he's ever visited. In this pledge special, Steves hosts us on a journey of discovery. His hope? To learn more about this perplexing nation whose government so exasperates America, and to better understand the 70 million people who call Iran home.

This documentary, shot in glorious high-definition, shows the splendid monuments of Iran's rich past, as well as Iranian life today from Tehran to Esfahan and Shiraz, and into the countryside.

Steves captures Persian culture vividly: from Friday prayer in a mosque to the nonconformist teen fashions at the mall; from anti-American murals to the hospitality of a family dinner; and from the tranquility of rural life to the crazy traffic of modern Tehran.

Enjoying ice cream with religious leaders, marveling at the popularity of nose jobs for women, and witnessing the sorrow that blankets martyrs' cemeteries, Steves and his crew provide an intimate glimpse of Iran never before shown on American television. Steves believes that while there are no easy solutions to the problems confronting our two countries, surely getting to know more about this culture is a step in the right direction.

"Rick Steves' Iran" will air on KXXX, Thursday, January 15, 2009.

 

Rick Steves' Iran [135 words]

Rick Steves, sharing his experience in a recent trip to Iran , calls it "the most poorly understood yet fascinating land" he's ever visited. In this pledge special, Steves hosts us on a journey of discovery. His hope? To learn more about this perplexing nation whose government so exasperates America, and to better understand the 70 million people who call Iran home.

This high-definition documentary shows the splendid monuments of Iran's rich past, as well as Iranian life today from Tehran to Esfahan and Shiraz, and into the countryside.

Enjoying ice cream with religious leaders, marveling at the popularity of nose jobs for women, and witnessing the sorrow that blankets martyrs' cemeteries, Steves and his crew provide an intimate glimpse of Iran never before shown on American television. 

"Rick Steves' Iran" will air on KXXX, Thursday, January 15, 2009.