TEHRAN—Felt making is one of the ancient arts of Iran which has deep roots in many parts of the country particularly many regions and cities of Khorasan Razavi province such as tribal regions and Neyshabur, Bardaskan, and Kalat.

This art is produced with wool. Its products include rugs, clothing, and decorative items. In fact, felt, as a traditional woven work, is not only a handicraft but also part of the cultural and historical identity of this region, ISNA wrote.

The history of felt making dates back to ancient times, and evidence shows that this art was used in the daily lives of people, especially in cold and mountainous climates.

Felt was also used as a covering and material for the production of clothing, bedding, and even tents in nomadic societies due to its thermal and moisture-wicking properties.

In fact, felt making, as an ancient art, not only meets the daily needs of people, but is also an artistic and cultural work. In today's world, which is moving towards the use of synthetic and industrial materials, felt making represents traditional values ??and cultural aesthetics.

Azam Naseri, a handicrafts expert, said that felt making is a handicraft and cultural heritage which should be preserved. It should be transferred to the future generations, she added.

Efforts to preserve this art can lead to strengthening the national identity and introducing the rich Iranian culture in the global arena, and passing on felt making as a symbol of Iranian art and culture to future generations, she pointed out.

“By supporting and paying attention to this ancient art, we can help preserve and develop felt making as a valuable cultural heritage and show the world what beauties and values of Iranian art and culture hold within itself.”

She noted: “I hope that with continuous efforts, felt making will be recognized as a symbol of Iranian culture and art in the international arena and passed on to future generations.”

Naseri said that felt making shows the cultural identity of many Iranian and Khorasan Razavi cities.

 She continued that in the process of felt making, sheep wool fibers, soap, and egg yolk are used; this combination gives the felt its soft and flexible properties. 

In this process, the wool fibers are intertwined by creating moisture and pressure and become felt, she pointed out. This method requires precision and skill, and felt artists produce quality products with their experience and knowledge, she added.

She considered one of the prominent features of felt to be its resistance to fire, adding: “Felt does not burn easily, and this property has made felt an ideal option for use in cold and hot seasons.” 

Stating that felt is a very good insulator and has been widely used throughout the history, especially for nomads living in different climates, Naseri said: “These capabilities have made felt an essential material in everyday life.”

Naseri said that in spite of cultural and historical values of felt making, this art faces challenges.

She considered one of these challenges to be the decrease in the number of artisans active in this field. “With the passage of time and social changes, fewer young people are turning to this art. For this reason, it is necessary to pay more attention to promoting and training this art to the younger generations.”

Pointing out that felt production was booming in many cities and villages in the past, she said: “Changes in lifestyle and the incompatibility of felt products with today's modern decorations, especially due to the strong smell of wool, are among the factors that have led to a decrease in demand for felt.”

The handicrafts expert added: “Also, the limitation in the diversity of felt products and the failure to properly transfer indigenous knowledge and skills to new generations are other reasons for the decline of this traditional art.”

She stated that of course, holding workshops and handicraft exhibitions to familiarize people with felt making and promote this art can have a positive impact on this industry.

She also considered the role of women in felt making to be very important, adding that a significant number of felt making artists are women who produce beautiful products with their skills and art.

She said that promoting felt making as a handicraft can help empower women economically and strengthen their position in society.

Noting that felt making also has great potential for export, Naseri said “Given the beauty and high quality of felt products, this art can find a suitable place in international markets. Promoting felt making globally can help increase income generation and introduce Iranian culture to other countries.”

KD