TEHRAN - In the context of the 7th Joint Cooperation Meeting between Turkey’s border provinces and Iran’s West Azarbaijan, the governors-general of Iğdır, Ağrı, Van, and Hakkari provinces have visited their Iranian counterpart to discuss ways to expand ties.

The Turkish officials, accompanied by Mohammad-Sadegh Motamedian, also paid a visit to the Urmia Handicrafts Museum, which is located in the restored historical Hedayat School, CHTN reported on Friday.

Moreover, the Turkish officials met with Morteza Safari, the provincial tourism chief.

Safari welcomed the Turkish governors-general and highlighted the significance of the site, saying explained the Hedayat School is a Qajar-era building spanning 1,400 square meters.

“The building and its premises was restored and converted into the province’s first handicrafts house with the support of the West Azarbaijan’s local government.”

Safari further noted that the museum currently hosts workshops on various traditional crafts, including semi-precious stone carving, woodworking, miniature painting, and kilim weaving. These workshops aim to preserve and promote local craftsmanship.

The official also emphasized that the museum showcases masterpieces from 40 different handicraft fields, offering visitors a glimpse into the cultural heritage and artistic identity of the region.

In addition, the Hedayat School has become a cultural hub for artists in fields such as poetry, literature, and cinema, where various artistic and cultural programs are held.

The visit highlighted the significance of regional collaboration and cultural exchange between the Turkish border provinces and West Azarbaijan, the report said.

The news agency, however, did not provide further details about the discussion conducted between Turkish governors-general with their counterpart.  

Situated in northwest Iran, West Azerbaijan is bordered by Turkey’s provinces of Ağrı, Hakkâri, Iğdır and Van as well as Iraq’s Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, and Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

The major known ancient civilization in the Azarbaijan region was that of Mannaeans, a buffer state between Urartian and Assyrian spheres of influence. Mannaeans in turn spoke a language related to Urartian. After the fall of Assyria, the region was known as Mantiene (or Matiene) in Greek sources. Matiene bordered on Atropatene situated east of Lake Urmia.

AM