IRAN: What, no yellow cake for dessert?

Iran's National Day of Nuclear Technology was a time to trumpet Tehran's latest technological breakthroughs. But today was also a time for celebrations and feasts.

State-controlled television set the tone. It intermittently played video clips showing the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran waving with words, "We can," on the top right of the screen, set to brassy martial songs with catchy lyrics like:

"We, the Iranian Muslims, have managed to achieve a breakthrough in science and show our merits."

All throughout the day, television broadcast pictures of Iranian scholars from ancient to modern times. At one point, a speech by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was broadcast:

"Thank God, we have proved we can brave all the obstacles and gain the native technology of nuclear science. And thank God our officials are standing up and we are all standing up to the end."

Meanwhile, in downtown Tehran, pro-government activists distributed sweets to passersby in commemoration of the holiday.

But the big event was tonight. A symphony orchestra played at the main ceremony in a large hall in downtown Tehran. Around 200 people attended, including nuclear scientists and representatives from 70 embassies in Tehran and the press, including a representative of the Los Angeles Times.

The program was to include a sumptuous feast with cuisine from all over world, as well as a performance.

The 15 young actors were dressed in white, with long gray shawls. They started to dance in a circle like whirling  Dervishes.  A young boy of about 10 stood in the middle waving a white flag to symbolize the peace-loving Iranian youth. Each actor carried a circular mirror to represent the atom, electricity and light.

Once President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad began granting awards to the scientists, the host of the program told the journalists to go home.

Much to their disappointment, the dinner would be served only to the dignitaries and scientists.

— Ramin Mostaghim in Tehran and Borzou Daragahi in Beirut

Photo: Iranian men perform a dance in front of an Iranian map surrounded by an atom during a ceremony to mark the National Day of Nuclear Technology in Tehran on April 8. Credit: BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images