Tehran – Iranian Tourism Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan and his deputy for handicrafts, Pouya Mahmoudian, honored some exemplary craftsmen and craftsmen on Saturday.

Behruz Zarindashti in ceramics and Sara Hedayat in costume design received Silver Cypress during the closing ceremony of the 5th National Fajr Handicraft Festival, one of the largest Iranian handicraft exhibitions in the Iranian National Museum.

In addition, Zeinab Masudi in lighting, Abbas Jalalikia in woodworking, Saru Moqerchian in metalworking and Vajiheh Sadat Jalali in wood carving received honorable mentions, according to the organizers.

Two of the recently deceased veteran artisans; Ahmad Shishegar, a master of tile work, and Amir Saeim, a master of torutics, were honored posthumously during the ceremony, which was also attended by dozens of artists, craftsmen, and cultural officials.

Over 150 artisans from different areas of the craft participated in this edition of the festival, several of whom were honored during the ceremony.

This edition of the festival, which brings together works from across the country and is a venue for showcasing dozens of ancient and modern Iranian handicrafts, has been held entirely online due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The event featured woodwork, illuminated manuscripts, miniature, textile printing, enamel, leatherwork, calligraphy, metalwork, mirrorwork and inlays, among other things. There were also pottery, ceramics, personal decorations, rugs, and kilim rugs.

With 14 entries, Iran ranks first in the world for the number of cities and villages registered by the World Crafts Council, followed by China with seven entries, Chile with four and India with three entries.

In January 2020, the cities of Shiraz, Malayer and Zanjan and the village of Qassemabad were expelled from the WCC in the Asia-Pacific region, increasing the number of craft towns and villages in Iran from ten to 14.

Shiraz has been called a “cosmopolitan city of” [diverse] Crafts “. Malayer became a global hub for wood carving and carved wood furniture. Zanjan received the title of “filigree cosmopolitan city”. The village of Qassemabad, known nationwide for its traditional costumes, has also been promoted to a global handicraft center. However, the chador shab, a type of homemade overgarment for women, was the main theme for the WCC’s assessment of the village.

Iran exported handicrafts worth $ 523 million in calendar year 1398 (ended March 19, 2020). Of this, $ 273 million in handicrafts were officially exported through customs and, according to the Ministry of Culture, around $ 250 million was earned through trade in suitcases (for duty-free and tax-free transfers) through various provinces of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts.

Ceramics, ceramic vessels, hand-woven cloths and personal decorations with precious and semi-precious stones are traditionally exported to Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, the USA, Great Britain and other countries.

ABU / AFM

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR