TEHRAN – Iran is set to strengthen the export of handicrafts and works of Persian art, the deputy minister for handicrafts said on Sunday.

“One of our most important plans is to strengthen exports, and with the help of craft festivals, we are strongly looking for ways to strengthen the export of handicrafts,” Maryam Jalali Dehkordi said on Sunday.

According to Jalali Dehkordi, the value of Iran’s handicraft exports stood at $400 million during the first ten months of the past Iranian calendar year 1401 (Mar. 21, 2022—Jan. 20, 2023). “Compared to the same period a year earlier, the figure represents some 30 percent growth.”

The official said efforts have been made to promote handicrafts as everyday gear. “Over the past couple of years, the practical significance of Persian handicrafts has been highlighted in connection with home and kitchen.”

Currently, a total of 13 cities and three villages in Iran have been registered by the World Council of Handicrafts as “world cities of handicrafts”. Based on available data, the handicraft sector of the country has generated jobs for more than 2.5 million people, of which some 1.5 million are registered in government databases and around 0.5 million are licensed workers.

From exquisite carpets to subtle miniature paintings, and from turquoise inlaid objects to floral pottery, each one hints at skills passed down from generation to generation. The majority of skilled Iranian artisans use raw materials like wood, bones, silk, wool, copper, silver, gold, and gemstones to create exquisite handicrafts. They perform a miracle by infusing their sentiments and cultural ideas into these traditional handicrafts. Because of this, Persian artwork is incomparably valuable compared to many other works of art from around the world.

Last month, Jalali Dehkordi was elected as the deputy director for the World Crafts Council-Asia-Pacific Region. The appointment was made at a recent WCC conference held on the sidelines of the 2nd Kokand Handicrafts Festival, held in the ancient Uzbek city.

AFM