TEHRAN – A national festival of Iranian ethnic groups is currently underway in Bagh Fateh Tennis Complex in Karaj, the capital of the north-central Iranian province of Alborz, the provincial tourism chief has said.

The festival features regional arts, handicrafts, souvenirs, culinary traditions, and tourist-attraction exhibits, as well as crafts workshops and live performances from different provinces across the country, Fereydoun Mohammadi explained on Monday.

Due to the presence of diverse ethnic groups in Alborz Province, this festival was organized to create a sense of social vitality in the region and promote ethnic unity and solidarity between the Iranian ethnic groups, the official added.

The event, which opened on Thursday, will come to an end on December 4.

Iran is home to many regional people, including ones with Turk and Arab elements, in addition to the Kurds, Baloch, Bakhtyari, Lurs, and other smaller minorities such as Armenians, Assyrians, Jews and others.

Language, music, indigenous cuisine, clothing, songs, anecdotes, crafts, live performances, and local rituals such as celebrations and wedding ceremonies have always spurred many to experience life among the tribes.

Alborz province is surrounded by Mazandaran, Tehran, Markazi, and Qazvin provinces. Its name is driven by the Alborz Mountains. A significant part of the mountains is located in the northern part of the province.

Historical resources and documents, as well as archeological studies, indicate that Alborz has a rich culture dating back to prehistoric times.

ABU/AM