Statement:
The keeping of pigeons has always been a component of Iranian culture. Pigeons, which in the past were a source of natural fertilizer used for agriculture and horticulture, had a special place among domestic animals in Iran, to the extent that killing them was considered a crime.
Despite the lack of respect for towards the traditional Iranian pigeon keeper, The custom remains to this day, and pigeon racing has become one of the most public entertainment events throughout the middle and less educated classes. The game, which is dedicated exclusively to men, has become widespread in most of Iran's cities, to the extent that the purchase and sale of pigeons and their food and accessories have created a lot of jobs.
Also, betting, which is one of the most exciting of events is the pigeon race. There are a lot of enthusiasts despite religious and social prohibitions in Iran. Although competitions are being advertised, organized and held secretly, the number of contestants and viewers is very high. The strong and often extreme passion for pigeon keeping cannot be easily explained. Those who have an addictive love for keeping pigeons, sometimes spend all their assets and livelihood on their birds.
Pigeon breeders, who in the past were mostly from the lower echelons of society, are today wealthy people who sometimes possess more than 2,000 pigeons. Zolfaghar, who has More than 2,500 pigeons will spend about $50,000 a year to keep them healthy and trained for the race.
When we think about flight; the path taken by humanity to achieve such dreams, its history and its attempt to go to the sky comes to mind. This series portrays the story of such people, for whom their flying birds replace their dream of conquering the air.
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- Tehran, Iran. Friends and family are gathered at the rooftop of an old building in south part of Tehran to watch how high their pigeons are flying. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. Pigeon breeders are spending over $50,000 annually on their birds to keep them healthy and ready for the race. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. Keeping the record of daily trainings and selecting the best pigeons for the upcoming race. There are two major factors, how high they fly and how long they fly. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. He is proudly walking to the cage to start his day with spending some times with his pigeons. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. Stamping the owner’s name on the bird. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. Attaching turquoise round eye to the cage to prevent any harm to the pigeons from the evil eyes. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. Owner of the large number of pigeons is watching the upstairs training activities live from the rooftop with his family and friends. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. He is training the birds on daily basis. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. Pigeon Breeders normally have over 10000 birds and for that they have very big one or two story cage with more than 5 employees to feed and train the pigeons. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. Sitting in the cage at the rooftop for hours and looking at their birds while flying fulfill their dream of conquering the sky. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. In south part of Tehran there are many pigeon breeders and pigeon lovers which they spend all they have on their birds. Cages being built on the rooftops and close to the race season they train the birds from 6 am to 12 pm, on daily basis. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. Those who have addictive love for keeping pigeons, Sometimes all their assets and lives are dedicated to their birds. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. Despite the illegality of bird race and betting; there are many spectators coming to see the training and the main race. They sit on the rooftops of the surrounding buildings, watching the birds while having tea and shiha. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. close to the race season they train the birds from 6 am to 12 pm, on daily basis. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Pigeons, which in the past were a source of natural fertilizer for agriculture and horticulture, had a special place among domestic animals in Iranian culture, to the extent that killing them was considered guilty of killing. Despite the lack of respect of the traditional Iranian society towards pigeon keepers, even today pigeons race has become one of the most entertaining Iranian events through the middle and less educated classes. Tehran, Iran. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. Daily training is very important. They have to make sure the birds are flying high and for the longest possible time. When they get released for the cage, with a noticeable whistle they start to fly and go in the circle. Sometimes they keep circling on the air for over 6 hours. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. After training they are going back to their cages to be fed. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. Although competitions are being advertised, organized and held secretly, nevertheless, the number of contestants and viewers is very high. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. “Addiction to pigeons breeding is hard to explain and leaving such passion is as hard as going to rehab for opium addiction” Ahmad Nourozi said. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
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- Tehran, Iran. Sitting in the cage at the rooftop for hours and looking at their birds while flying fulfill their dream of conquering the sky. Pigeon race, has long rooted to Iranian tradition and despite the economical difficulties, still there are many Pigeon collectors around the country, whom willing to spend all they have for the better Pigeon.
