The activities of 22 fields of handicrafts in Sistan and Baluchistan / from the global registration of Kalpurgan to the formation of a professional organization

The Deputy Minister of Handicrafts of Sistan and Baluchistan announced the activity of 22 handicrafts in this province and said: despite the credit limits, educational programs, development of permanent markets, support for cooperatives and the formation of a professional organization of handicrafts are being pursued with the aim of strengthening production, creating jobs and developing the market for artists' products.

Vahida Rakhshani, Deputy of Handicrafts of Sistan and Baluchistan Province, in an interview with Aria Heritage reporter, explaining the capacities and plans of this area, stated: This province has four cities and national and international villages of handicrafts, among which we can mention Kalpurgan Global Pottery Village, Haseer National Village, Iranshahr National Needlework City, and Khamedozi National City in Sistan region.

Referring to the position of Kalpurgan village, he added: As one of the country's leading handicraft capacities, this village has a special place in introducing the art of traditional pottery, and the development of cultural cooperation and the introduction of its capacities at the national and international level are on the agenda.

Development of cultural interactions with sister cities

Referring to the signing of sisterhood agreements between cities active in the field of handicrafts, Rakhshani said: In June this year, a sisterhood agreement was signed between Old City and Tafaresh City. Also, there is a memorandum of understanding between Mehdishahr city in Semnan province and Iranshahr.

He continued: The purpose of these collaborations is to develop handicrafts, introduce the cultural capacities of cities, expand interactions and create new opportunities for artists. Also, follow-ups have been done to establish such a connection between Kalpurgan village and other cities with handicraft capacity.

Obtaining 291 national medals and seven international medals

Referring to the success of the artisans of the province in receiving the seal of authenticity of handicrafts, the vice president of handicrafts of Sistan and Baluchistan said: In the eighth round of judging of the national authenticity seal, 61 works of the artists of the province were successful in receiving this seal. The number of eligible works was more than this amount, but due to the limited quota, it was not possible to select all the works.

He stated that the total number of handicraft authenticity badges of the province has reached 291 national badges and seven international badges, and added: This achievement shows the significant capacity of the province's artists and the quality of their products.

Training more than four thousand people in handicraft fields

Referring to the importance of education in the development of handicrafts in the province, Rakhshani said: despite the credit limits, we tried to provide the necessary resources for the implementation of educational programs through interaction with various institutions.

He added: In the planned program for handicraft training, targeting was done for the training of 3,850 people, and finally 4,400 people were trained.

According to him, there are currently about 22 handicraft fields active in the province, including traditional embroidery, carpet weaving, other weaving fields, marine handicrafts, local clothing and ornaments.

The vice president of Sistan and Baluchistan handicrafts continued: educational programs are implemented in 17 cities and 31 villages of the province, and the development of educational infrastructure is also on the agenda.

Referring to the actions taken in this field, he said: The first handicraft training center of the province was put into operation in the national city of Khame Dozi, and the first phase of the Rask training center was also opened.

Six permanent craft markets in the province

Rokhshani considered the development of infrastructure for the supply of products as one of the axes of supporting artists and stated: Currently, including two bazaars whose construction operations have been completed and are in the phase of handing over to the private sector, the total number of permanent handicraft bazaars in the province reaches six.

He added: These two bazaars are located in the world village of Kalpurgan and the historic monument of Malek Garage in Zahedan.

According to Rakhshani, the development of permanent bazaars in other cities of the province is also planned so that artists can present their products in a more suitable space and provide direct communication between producers and buyers.

The formation of a professional handicraft organization is on the agenda

The Deputy of Handicrafts of Sistan and Baluchistan said about the status of organizations and cooperatives active in this field: The formation of the professional organization of handicrafts in the province is being pursued and its implementation steps have started.

He explained: In this context, relevant meetings have been held and a provincial working group has been formed. Also, a public call for applicants to form the founding board has been published, and we hope that the province's handicrafts professional organization will be formed in the next two months.

Referring to the role of active cooperatives and associations in the field of handicrafts, Rakhshani said: a significant part of active cooperatives in the province are active in the field of handicrafts. The existing associations and organizations also cover a wide part of the artist community from the north to the south of the province.

He added: Many of these collections operate in rural areas and on the outskirts of cities, and women have a significant contribution to their management and activities. Some of these organizations and collections have covered between 400 and 2000 people.

Holding two national exhibitions after a six-year gap

Referring to the programs organized for the development of handicrafts market in the province, Rakhshani stated: After a six-year break, two national handicraft exhibitions were held in the province, the first exhibition was held in Iranshahr, the national city of Baloch needlework, and the next exhibition was held in Zahedan.

He continued: These exhibitions provided a good opportunity to introduce artists' productions, marketing and increasing product sales. Also, efforts were made to examine the cases of applicants for low interest facilities in the shortest possible time and to pay the facilities to the artists.

The Deputy Minister of Handicrafts of Sistan and Baluchistan announced the sending of the province's artists to two foreign exhibitions and said: "Participation in international exhibitions can be effective in introducing local arts and expanding the sales market of handicraft products."

cream embroidery; A factor to strengthen urban identity and employment

Referring to the effect of the national registration of cream embroidery on the prosperity of this traditional art, Rakhshani said: The registration of the national city of cream embroidery has had a positive effect on the preservation and revival of this art, the development of employment and the introduction of the cultural capacities of the region.

Appreciating the cooperation of the mayor and the secretary of Khame Doozi National City, he added: With the efforts made, the effects of handicrafts can be seen in different parts of the city, and this issue can help strengthen the cultural and economic identity of the city.

Display of handicraft capacities on the eve of the national conference

The Deputy of Handicrafts of Sistan and Baluchistan said about the exhibition held in the premises of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts: This exhibition was held on the sidelines of the pre-conference of the national event of local history-making women of Sistan and Baluchistan. An event whose main conference is scheduled to be held in Zahedan in November.

He added: This exhibition exposes a corner of the capabilities of artists and artisans of the province to the audience, and in addition to handicraft products, it also introduces a part of customs, nomadic life and local foods of Sistan and Baluchistan.

Emphasis on supporting Iranian products

At the end, Rakhshani emphasized the necessity of people's support for domestic handicrafts and said: Handicrafts are a part of Iran's cultural identity and valuable traditions, and buying Iranian products can help preserve cultural originality and create job opportunities for women and youth.

He also pointed to the characteristics of handicraft products of the province, especially traditional embroidery, and said: the lightness and added value of some of these products make it possible to supply them in foreign markets, but customs fees and other export fees can create restrictions for artists. Therefore, supporting marketing and providing suitable routes to supply products in domestic and foreign markets is particularly important.