Nat’l Handicrafts Expo Scheduled for March 6-9

The annual event, organized by Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, will see handicrafts from all around the country put up for show, the news portal of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture reported.

According to a senior ICHHTO official, Bahman Namvar Motlaq, Iran’s annual handicraft export revenue has tripled from $100 million to $300 million since 2013.

The total revenue is estimated to be higher, as handmade jewelries and suitcase trade were not included in the figures, according to Financial Tribune.

Reportedly, Iranian cities that achieved international recognition from UNESCO’s World Crafts Council include Tabriz in East Azarbaijan for its hand-woven carpets, Isfahan for its handicrafts, Mashhad in Khorasan Razavi Province for its gemstones and Lalejin in Hamedan Province for its pottery.

Marivan in Kurdestan Province and Sirjan in Kerman Province have also received UNESCO’s recognition respectively for Kalash (traditional handmade shoes) and kilim (flat tapestry-woven rugs) respectively.

Kalpourgan Village in Sistan-Baluchestan Province became the World Crafts Village for pottery made by women.

Isfahan Province gained its status as the World Crafts City in September 2015 by UNESCO’s World Crafts Council. 

From a total of 297 types of handicrafts in Iran, 196 originate in Isfahan, creating jobs for over 40,000 people.

Officials expect the annual revenue from handicrafts to hit $1 billion by 2022, with Isfahan playing an important role. 

Among the numerous types of handicrafts in Iran, the most well known are felts, tribal rugs, glasswork, pottery, ceramics and tiles, traditional furniture, copper and brass ornaments, woodwork (including mosaic, wood carving and inlaid), enamel work and engravings.