Introduction : the role of culture in foreign policy -- Historical backdrop : overview of Syrian-Iranian relations since 1946 -- Policy and values -- Pre-1979 cultural diplomacy and foundations for post-revolutionary cultural exchange -- Iran's cultural diplomacy in Syria : the Iranian Cultural Centre in Damascus -- Syria's cultural diplomacy in Iran : the Arab-Syrian Cultural Centre in Tehran -- Students : fostering the bonds of the future -- Religious tourism : the blessedness of cultural ties -- Conclusion : cultural diplomacy, soft power and the Syria-Iran axis.