 |
| Mehdi Neimi |
A recent television program aired on Iran’s state TV sparked widespread reactions after the host criticized Tabriz’s famous and traditional Liqvan cheese while promoting cheese produced by Tehran’s “Mihan” holding company.
Speaking to Voice of America, economist Mehdi Naimi stated, “Liqvan cheese is not just an economic product in Azerbaijan; it is embraced as a part of national identity.”
“The taste of Liqvan cheese is the product of centuries of natural living by the healthy people of Azerbaijan. This cheese will not disappear just because of a TV host’s remark. However, it might push other companies' products off dining tables. Do not meddle with our region’s local economy!” tweeted Tabriz Member of Parliament Ruhollah Motaffakir Azad, joining the campaign.
طعم #پنیر_لیقوان محصول قرن ها تجربه زیست طبیعی مردمان سالم #آذربایجان است. با توصیه یک مجری آشپزی نه تنها پنیر لیقوان حذف نمی شود بلکه ممکن است محصولات شرکت مربوطه دیگر سر سفره ها نیاید. با اقتصاد بومی منطقه بازی تجاری نکنید.#دستپخت
— R. Motafakkerazad متفکرآزاد (@MotafakkerazadR) June 5, 2020
Mehdi Naimi notes that similar incidents have occurred in the past, but due to the weaker influence of social media at the time, they did not generate such a widespread and impactful response.https://www.amerikaninsesi.org/a/mehdi-naimi/5460010.html
“What makes Liqvan cheese unique is that it is embraced in Azerbaijan and carries an Azerbaijani essence. On the other hand, although Mihan Holding’s owner is originally from Azerbaijan, because the company is based in Tehran, it is seen merely as a business owned by someone of Azerbaijani descent, without any national identity attached to it,” the economist explains.
 |
| A grocery store in Tabriz: "We do not sell Mihan products. Azerbaijan’s Liqvan cheese is available." |
He emphasizes that the reactions to this controversy are not solely about supporting an economic product:
“I don’t think this is just about an economic product. While that aspect does play a role, the way it was presented on the TV program felt like an attack on a nation’s existence. That is, when we talk about Liqvan cheese, many in Azerbaijan might not even be able to afford it, especially since it has become very expensive lately. However, because it is a symbol of Azerbaijan, people stand behind it.”
“Looking at the numbers, Liqvan cheese holds significant economic value in Iran. But in my opinion, people’s reactions are not primarily driven by economic concerns. Their initial response is rooted in defending their identity and existence,” Naimi adds.
The economic expert believes that the campaign surrounding Liqvan cheese could serve as a starting point for broader discussions on economic issues in Iranian Azerbaijan.
“The Liqvan cheese issue could be a beginning. People realize that they can unite and make their voices heard. In the future, even if a similar issue arises over something that doesn’t have the same level of brand recognition as Liqvan cheese, people may still be able to organize and react. From this experience, they can lay the groundwork for even broader movements in the future,” he says.
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
İran Parlamentinə qədər mübahisələrə yol açan Təbrizin Liqvan pendiri