A network of creative craft cities worldwide has been launched by the World Crafts Council (WCC) in the framework of the creative economy and in response to the growing awareness of the contribution of local authorities, craftspeople and communities to cultural, economic and social development. The WCC network brings a complementary contribution to the UNESCO Creative Cities program to foster interaction between crafts and other creative industries.
Iran’s handicrafts exports reached $107 million in the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21), growing 9.5 percent year on year. Traditional ceramics, pottery vessels, hand-woven cloths as well as personal ornamentations with precious and semi-precious gemstones are among Iranian exports to Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany, the U.S., the UK, and other countries. According to the World Handicraft Council, a few cities of Iran, has been named world crafts cities for their unique crafts.
The rich cultural city of Isfahan has been the Mecca of Art lovers since the 12th century. The prevalence of crafts has given it a quite unique character despites its rapid industrialization. It was the first Iranian place included in WIPO for its different and vast artistic fields which are more than 130 until now. Some of the most important fields are: Enamels (Mina-kari), Turquoise inlaying (Firoozeh koobi), Brocade (Zari-Bafi), Velvet weaving (makhmal-Bafi), Metal lattice (Moshabbak-felez), Metal Volumes (Ahjam e Felezi), Samovar Crafting (Samavar Sazi), Fine metal Carving (Nazook Boori Felez), Etching (Ghalamkari), Pottery of Shahreza City, Fine Wood Carving (Nazook Boori Choob) and Wood Carving.
Among all the handicrafts of Tabriz, this city is mostly known for its handmade carpets and since 2015 it was included in WIPO as Carpet Weaving City. Carpet weaving was flourished since Safavid Dynasty and has been exported to western countries especially since Qajar Dynasty, which was continued during Pahlavi.
Mashhad is also known for gemstones and it was included in WIPO since 2016. The area with 39 known different varieties of gemstone is rich enough to export gemstones to many other countries. More than 16 thousand registered artisans are busy in the field in nearly 500 different workshops. With 9 tons of exploitation a year, Agate (Aghigh) is the most popular gemstone, following by 5 tons of turquoise (Firouzeh). Different types of Corundum such as Sapphire or Ruby, Jasper, aquamarine are some other exploited gemstone products of Mashhad city.
Kalporagan is a small village at the south east of Iran, Sistan & Baluchestan Province. This place is known as the only Living Pottery Museum of the World, Originates back to 7000 years ago. Kalporagan was the first Iranian Village included in WIPO list since 2017.
In 2018, Khorashad was included in WIPO for its Hand-Woven Fabrics called Tow-Bafi. Tow-Bafi is the skill of producing a variety of traditional cotton or silk cloth (fabric).
Lalejin is a small city at the east of Iran, Hamadan Province and situated only 25 kilometers away from Hamadan, the ancient capital of Iran. In 1936, the first pottery stock company was established to value the goods and sell them in the market. In 2016, Lalejin was included in WIPO for its Pottery handicrafts.
In Farsi, Abadeh means a reclaimed area and its origin goes back to 1000 B.C. Abadeh is located in Fars Province, on the main road between the two main big cities of Isfahan and Shiraz, contributed to its notable history and rich culture. Although the crafts makers in Abadeh, practice various handicrafts, they are mainly known for woodcarving (Munabbat-Kari in Farsi). In 2018, Abadeh was included in WIPO for its Munabbat art. The word “Munabbat” is derived from the verb “Nabat” relating the first stages in the growth of a plant, hence the high relief carved wood resembles the sprouts of a plant.
Marivan is an important city of Kurdistan Province, in western part of Iran. Nearly 200 thousand residents of Marivan are generally Kurds with their own Kurdish language, traditions, celebrations, dance and many other habits. The way of dressing is also unique, mostly because of living in cold rocky impassable mountains. One of the main characteristics of dressing is special shoes called “Kelash”, kind of “Giveh”. With an equal design for right and left side, it is convenient for the weather conditions of the area. Marivan was included in WIPO list in 2017 for Klash weaving.
Meybod is located in the northwest of Yazd. Maybod is probably the origin of Zilu weaving art, which was used to cover floors of important places, especially mosques. In 2018, Maybod was included in WIPO for its Zilu weaving art. It is estimated that more than 500 Zilu weavers live in Maybod now. This city has training workshops, researching organizations and also a museum about Zilu. About 50 precious Zilous are kept in the museum and the eldest one is from the 15th century.
Sirjan is a small City at south of Iran, Kerman Province. Originates back even before Islam, some monuments such as Ghaleh-Sangi still remain near the ancient city of Sirjan. Kilim is the oldest method of carpet weaving and Kilim weaving in Sirjan region has a great diversity of techniques such as Shiriki Kilim which is unique hence every weaver uses their own personal tastes.
