TEHRAN - Tehran is to host a major international handicrafts festival, aimed to signal a message of intergenerational connection in the realm of traditional arts and crafts.

On Sunday, Maryam Jalali Dehkordi, the deputy minister for handicrafts at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, attached great importance to the event, and described it as the “festival of festivals”.

Secretariat of the eighth Fajr International Handicrafts and Traditional Arts Festival, also known as Sarv-E Simin (“Silver Cypress”), has received some 5,000 works from about 2,000 craftspeople, with the participation of crafters from 16 countries, she said.

The official made the remarks on Sunday during a press conference for the event attended by a host of relevant officials, craftspeople, and media personnel.

Addressing the conference held at Azadi Tower, Jalali Dehkordi emphasized that the festival is an integral part of a broader chain created based on the policies of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage.

Every aspect of the event, including the selection of the Azadi Tower as a symbol for Iranian architecture, arts, and history has been planned under meaningful circles.

Elsewhere in her remarks, Jalali Dehkordi highlighted the shift in focus from cultural to economic aspects and the connection of handicrafts to the literature of development and value chain. She expressed that the eighth edition of the festival will introduce a new chapter, dedicating a section to handicrafts related to the holy shrines, including the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS).

The festival’s slogan, “Intergenerational Bonding, Safeguarding Identity in the World,” was explained by Jalali Dehkordi, who emphasized modernization, training for producers, and the attention of the younger generation as essential components for expanding the handicraft market.

Moreover, the deputy minister highlighted internal and external organizational coherence, emphasizing that the festival’s policymaking council consists of 23 institutions with significant roles in the cultural domain. She noted that the festival is a platform for greater interaction and convergence with these entities.

Also, she mentioned the flourishing handicraft markets in various provinces, especially with the establishment of handicraft markets in city entrances, in line with the Iranian President’s directives.

The official stressed the importance of considering handicrafts from creation to consumption across different components and dimensions.

She explained that the entire planning for the event has been concentrated on the development, promotion, and sale of handicrafts, culminating in activities such as diverse workshops, role-playing, and showcasing the achievements of cities and villages in global handicrafts.

The press conference concluded with the unveiling of a graphic piece related to the festival and the presentation of the festival poster, symbolizing intergenerational connection with the presence of a veteran craftsman and a student potter.

According to organizers, the festival, scheduled to take place from February 16 to 20, is intended to be a celebration of craftsmanship, culture, and global collaboration, providing a unique platform for the exchange of artistic traditions and skills.

AFM