TEHRAN – In a meeting with the President of Armenian Tourism Federation on Saturday, Cultural Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Embassy Mohammad Asadi-Movahed discussed promotion of tourism and handicrafts between Iran and Armenia.

The meeting underscored the importance of cultural collaborations between Iran and Armenia, emphasizing the pressing need to enhance cultural interactions between the two nations.

Petrosyan, President of Armenian Tourism Federation, warmly welcomed the statements of the Iranian Cultural Attaché, expressing the shared sentiment of extensive cultural collaborations between Iranian and Armenian societies. He stressed, "It is our right to stand together, and I strongly advocate for substantial cooperation in the field of tourism with Iran." 

Continuing to stress the importance of increased global cooperation, Petrosyan acknowledged past achievements and highlighted, "In the realm of tourism and the expansion of interactions in this field between Iran and Armenia, we've established the Armenian-Iranian Cultural-Culinary Festival (Navasard). This initiative aims to showcase the rich cultural collaborations between Iran and Armenia to the global audience." 

Petrosyan, recognizing the value of the Hamedan Cultural Week in Yerevan, praised Hamedan's cultural programs, with special commendation for the captivating execution of traditional music. 

Also present in this meeting, Mohammad-Reza Khalaji, the Deputy of Handicrafts at the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts in Hamedan province, shed light on the exceptional collaborations between Hamedan and Armenia, surpassing those of other Iranian provinces. Khalaji enumerated the cultural similarities and peaceful coexistence between the people of Hamedan and Armenians, further accentuating the climatic resemblances shared by Hamedan and Armenia.

Furthermore, Khalaji highlighted the diverse capacities and capabilities of tourism in Hamedan. He emphasized not only the prominence of handicrafts like Lalejin pottery industry and the globally renowned woodcarving art in Malayer city but also the significance of tourism and cultural heritage. Khalaji outlined the abundance of natural features in Hamedan, including picturesque springs, serene lakes, the natural allure of Alvand Peak, and the remarkable Ali-Sadr Cave – the world's largest water cave – as unique attractions that set the region apart in the country. These natural wonders, he argued, contribute to the province's allure for both local and international visitors.