Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei on Tuesday received a group of film directors, authors, poets and other artists who have a hand in the narration and depiction of the country's Sacred Defense (1980-88).

At the beginning of the meeting, representatives of the audience presented their ideas on different aspects of art and culture, especially the role of art in the narration of the Sacred Defense.

Ayatollah Khamenei, in his remarks, said that any work of art in the field of Sacred Defense was a superior mission adding that artistic re-creation of the lofty and human characteristics of that period was a great effort which would certainly have the same impact as that of the great event.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the 8-year defense was much more than just a period of time, adding that the defense was a collection of lofty values and outstanding beliefs and that its narrators are as mirrors to grandiose and beauty.

The IR Leader said the 8-year defense was a manifestation of an epic struggle, spirituality, piety, idealism, altruism, resistance, wisdom, and blossoming of talents and opportunities.

“Those artists who narrate that experience actually tell the story of values which any nation can be proud of having some of them,” the IR Leader said.

Ayatollah Khamenei noted that works of art in the field have always enjoyed a massive audience, urging the artists to spent more time and effort in the area.

The IR Leader however noted that Sacred Defense's works of art have been suffering a low profile in international events. “Even though the policies of international festivals are against the values of the Islamic Revolution and the Sacred Defense, the audience is not limited to the festivals.”

The IR Leader urged the audience that the field of art needs hard-working, creative and hopeful men and women.

The artists at the end of the meeting offered prayers to God in a ceremony led by the IR Leader and then broke their fast.