TEHRAN – Tehran province’s cultural, tourism, and handicrafts department has announced the upcoming National Handicrafts Exhibition, scheduled to take place from Feb. 22 to 25.

According to organizers, the National Handicrafts Exhibition serves as a platform to celebrate and promote Iran's rich artistic heritage.

With diverse offerings from skilled craftspeople, the event is anticipated to attract a wide audience, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to appreciate the traditional craft skills and artistic endeavors of the country.

It will be held at the Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds, utilizing the facilities and capacities of the tourism exhibition, and will be held in the same place from Feb. 12 to 15.

Ehsan Dehqani, the deputy for handicrafts at the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization of Tehran province, highlighted that this exhibition follows the conclusion of the Tehran Tourism & Related Industries Exhibition, taking place just a few days apart.

“The initiative to organize this exhibition came from the private sector, with requests submitted to the department. The authorities thoroughly examined the proposal and granted the necessary permits for the event,” Dehqani explained.

Dehghani shared additional details about the exhibition, mentioning that the smallest booths will be 12 square meters in size.

He added that approximately 300 skilled artisans in the field of handicrafts is expected to participate, showcasing their creations in 250 booths.

Last month, Maryam Jalali Dehkordi, the deputy minister for handicrafts at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, stressed the importance of considering handicrafts from creation to consumption across different components and dimensions.

Home to 13 cities and three villages registered by the World Crafts Council as craft hubs, the country looks towards the future to address many societal needs, including job creation, preservation of culture and traditions, support for domestic production, increased household income, and the enhancement of the standard of living for rural households.

Examining the historical trajectory of handicrafts in Iran reveals proficiency in skills such as pottery, textile weaving, plasterwork, calligraphy, and metalwork throughout different historical periods. Among the oldest and most prolific handicrafts in Iran are ceramics and pottery, which are visible in historical sites and museums scattered across the country.

AM