Efforts are being made to accredit Isfahan and Tabriz with the “World Crafts City” title, bestowed by the World Crafts Council, according to Bahman Namvar Motlaq, handicrafts deputy at Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.
Speaking to ISNA, Motlaq said Iran does not currently have any sites or cities recognized by WCC as a crafts center.
Previously, Iran had only two members on the council, but in the most recent meeting—held in Tehran on June 10—the number of Iranian members was increased to 10.
This allows Iranian artisans to establish connections with more craftsmen from around the world, Motlaq said.
He said members of WCC-West Asia have already visited Isfahan and support the city’s nomination. The president of WCC-Asia Pacific Region arrived in Iran to assess Tabriz for nomination. Specialists from Oman are also set to visit Tabriz on Saturday.
Motlaq said handicrafts have lost their place in the world, but with Iran taking a more active role in the council, steps can be taken to improve the industry’s global profile.
As handicrafts are a diverse and widely-practiced art in Iran, it is possible to propose two cities to the council at the same time, he noted.
