TEHRAN – Artisans from Semirom county, central Isfahan province, have woven a carpet celebrating the 2022 World Cup, which is currently underway in Qatar, the county’s tourism chief has said. 

For almost eight months, artisans of this county worked days and nights to weave the carpet, Saeid Soleimanian explained on Wednesday. 

The carpet has been created with all the efforts and creativity of the artisans to convey the message of eternal peace and friendship of Iranians to the world, the official added. 

There are 1080 cross knots and 1660 longitudinal rows in this carpet, which measures almost two meters by two meters, all silk, and 60 color variations, he noted.

There are also maps of the 32 selected countries and pictures of world-famous players included in the design, along with symbols representing the countries participating in the event, he mentioned. 

Several exhibitions of Iranian handicrafts and traditional arts as well as carpets are held on the sidelines of the Qatar World Cup. 

In October, deputy tourism minister Maryam Jalali said that the exhibitions, which are organized by Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, would host spectators and tourists and create a space where Iranian traditional art can be seen with Iranian symbols.

A variety of cultural, artistic, and handicraft works are on show in these exhibitions, along with the latest scientific and technological achievements.

“The goal is to showcase the great achievements of the Iranian people, as well as the attractions and events related to football, to counter Iranophobic statements,” she mentioned.

Back in August, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade Omid Qalibaf announced in addition to handicrafts exhibitions, Doha will also host five more Iranian exhibitions in the fields of food, furniture and chandeliers, decoration, construction materials, clothing, Islamic fashion, hotel and catering, and technical and engineering services.

These exhibits will be held in collaboration with Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPO) as well as Iran’s embassy in Doha, the official added.

In addition to introducing Iran’s export goods to Qatari businessmen, the exhibitions will include business meetings between Qatari and Iranian businessmen, he explained.

Although the Iran football team became the first Asian team to book their place in the major competition, it failed to qualify for the knockout stage. 

ABU/AM