Why it matters:
Iran was a key transit zone for Allied supply routes and was occupied by them during WWII. The opening of this museum marks a rare grassroots effort to preserve and narrate that history in an Iranian context.
What he’s saying:
The collector of the museum, Karen Omidi: “World War II was one of the bloodiest events in human history. My goal with this museum is to present that history in a specialized and accurate way.”
“Over 60 million people were killed, and almost every nation in the world—directly or indirectly—was affected.”
“It took me eight years to build this collection. I traveled to antique stores, military memorabilia dealers, and WWII commemorations across France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United States to acquire these items.”
Key points:
Vanguard is the only museum in Iran solely dedicated to World War II.
The founder sourced all items independently over nearly a decade.
The collection spans multiple countries involved in the war.
Items on display include period uniforms, weaponry, battlefield maps, and propaganda materials.
Go deeper:
Iran was a critical corridor during WWII, occupied jointly by the Allies in 1941, leading to the abdication of Reza Shah and a key shift in its contemporary history. The Vanguard museum offers a rare, civilian-led platform to explore that neglected narrative, bridging Iran’s place in global history with personal passion and scholarly ambition.
Mojtaba Darabi - seyed mohammad kazemi
