Craft Day in Iran

Crafts Day was included in the official Iranian calendar at the suggestion of the Organization for Cultural Heritage, Crafts and Tourism of Iran. The Government attaches great importance to the celebration of the Day of Crafts in connection with the important role of Iran’s handicrafts for the culture of the country as a whole and each region in particular. ^[one]

The crafts of Iran are practically uncountable; there are more than two hundred of them. Each province (ost) is known for its craft, often in different cities of the province the same craft is carried out differently. Below is a list of Iran’s most famous folk crafts. Minakari ( Persian میناکاری ) - the art of applying colored enamel, one of the main folk crafts of the province of Isfahan. It exists in two forms: minacari on copper and ceramics. The word "mine" ( Persian مینو ) came from the ancient Persian language, it means "heaven, heaven", since in the traditional minakari the predominant color is blue. This art was invented by Iranian masters of the Sassanid era , and later it was distributed by the Mongols throughout Central Asia. Minakari is usually used to decorate vases, plates, jewelry, candle holders, as well as decorative elements of doors and chandeliers. ^[2]

Kalyamkari

( Persian قلمکاری ) - the art of drawing a pattern on a cotton cloth (carried out both manually and with the help of special printing stamps). The center of Kalamkari production is considered to be the province of Isfahan . In Kalamkari, only natural dyes are used, and the application of colored elements occurs in strict sequence. Kalyamkari was invented by the masters of Isfahan after the Mongol invasion - the Iranians got acquainted with the culture of painting fabrics and based on the Mongolian technology came up with their own. Previously, clothes for rich people were sewn from such fabric, but now kalyamkari is most often used for painting tablecloths. ^[3]

Carpet weaving

- The most famous folk craft of Iran. Carpet weaving in Iran takes a variety of forms - there are kilims (woven smooth double-sided handmade rugs, usually small) and full-sized carpets. Each province of Iran has its own look and method of producing carpets in a unique style. The main centers of carpet weaving are the provinces of Hamadan, Western and Eastern Azerbaijan and Ardabil.

Glassmaking

( Persian شیشه گری ) - one of the oldest folk crafts of Iran, which originated in the era of the Achamenides. It is believed that the Iranians borrowed the art of glassmaking from the Sumerians. The main centers of glassmaking are considered to be the provinces of Isfahan and Fars. This art is mainly used to create orsi ( Persian ارسی ) - large stained-glass windows that traditionally decorated noble houses, shahs and mosques in Iran (the most striking example is the Nasser-ol-Molk mosque in Shiraz). ^[four]