TEHRAN - Handicraft workshops across Iran welcomed a staggering two million visits, during the Nowruz (Persian New Year) holidays from March 19 to April 1, an official with the tourism ministry said.

This significant milestone indicates the deep-rooted interest in traditional arts and crafts among Iranians and visitors alike, Mohammad-Hossein Askarpour said.

“Those workshop tours were organized to introduce  people to the capacities and capabilities of traditional arts and crafts as part of the identity and cultural heritage of Islamic Iran during Nowruz.”

The official highlighted the role of handicrafts as a symbol of an identity-based economy, contributing significantly to the sustainable development and prosperity of the country.

Askarpour further elaborated on the significance of various programs aimed at showcasing the existing capacities in this field rooted in national beliefs, religious convictions, and cultural heritage.

These initiatives are essential for nurturing future generations interested in culture and art.

He noted the project involved the participation of over 1,000 units producing handicrafts in various provinces, demonstrating a widespread engagement in promoting and preserving Iran's cultural legacy.

"The implementation of diverse programs such as live handicraft production, experiential tours for visitors, handicraft donations, special discounts on Nowruz products, brochure printing, and the inclusion of participating production units in tourism guide maps were among the initiatives undertaken in this project.”

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.

AM