TEHRAN – The ancient city of Piranshahr has launched a special center for traditional textiles hoping to help safeguard skills passed down from generation to generation.

Moreover, the center, which is situated in West Azarbaijan province, is open to sightseers, researchers, travelers, and cultural heritage advocates, CHTN reported on Sunday.

So far, two workshops on regional handicrafts have been staged in the center, which has attracted 500 visitors since it was inaugurated earlier this year, the report said.

Based on available data compiled by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, the value of Iran’s handicrafts exports stood at $400 million during the first ten months of 1401.

Compared with the same period a year earlier, the figure represents some 30 percent growth. The Islamic Republic exported some $320 million worth of handicrafts in 1400.

Iran has the most cities and towns registered with the World Crafts Council (WCC), followed by China with seven, Chile with four, and India with three designated ones.

AFM