Felt: A Potential for Job Creation and Economic Development in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari

Shahrekord – The mayor of Shahrekord said the outlook for developing felt art is bright, and its capacities can be used to boost production, create job opportunities and help reduce unemployment in the province.

According to Mehr reporter, Mohammad Hossein Vahidian, on Wednesday morning at the opening ceremony of the specialized felt department in the Technical and Vocational Education Complex, referring to the naming of Shahrekord as the national city of felt, he stated: This action was taken with the aim of protecting the traditions, culture, originality and local capacities of the city, and in this regard, the municipality has put the specialized development of this art and craft and the introduction of Shahrekord as the origin of felt on the agenda.

He added: In this framework, attention has been paid to the capacities of the Nemadmal neighborhood as one of the axes related to the production and tourism chain, and in recent years, valuable actions and events have been carried out to introduce this original art in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces.

The mayor of Shahrekord stated that the development of this art-industry is not limited to holding festivals and exhibitions, and stated: In addition to introducing capacities and holding cultural events, skill trainings appropriate to this profession should also be followed seriously in order to provide the basis for knowledge transfer, training of expert staff and improvement of product quality.

Referring to the role of technical and vocational education organization in providing skill training, Vahidian said: With the coordination of the municipality, the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, the Chamber of Commerce and other related institutions, the establishment of a specialized felt department in the technical and vocational complex was put on the agenda, and today we are witnessing the fruition of this action.

He pointed out that the establishment of this department is an effective step in the development of specialized training, improving the skills of the activists in this field and empowering those interested in the production of felt-based products.

Necessity of adaptation of felt specialized trainings to the needs of the market

The mayor of Shahrekord emphasized the need to pay attention to the needs and tastes of the market in formulating educational and professional standards and stated: In the design of training courses, the formulation of professional standards and the production of new products, the needs of the market and the taste of consumers must be seriously considered; Because the durability of this path and the development of the felt products market depends on the degree of adaptation of the products to the real needs of the society.

He continued: If skill trainings are designed based on market needs, we can hope that this process will lead to the development of production, strengthening of industrial capacities, preservation of cultural identity and empowerment of human resources in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.

Referring to the role of artists and activists of the private sector in the development of this field, Vahidian said: the presence and participation of private sector activists, including artists and specialists in the field of production and dyeing, is a valuable capacity for promoting education and expanding activities related to felt.

He added: "In order to achieve the desired results, we must pay attention to the private sector as one of the main pillars of development and use its capabilities in the best way." In this direction, the duty of government agencies and urban management is to facilitate and provide the field of activity, not to create obstacles in the path of entrepreneurs and producers.

The development of felt needs to go beyond festival-oriented

In another part of his speech, the mayor of Shahrekord, referring to the historical and cultural background of felt art in this city, said: the current position of felt is the result of the efforts, efforts and valuable actions of artists and artisans in this field in the past years, and the current pride of Shahrekord in this field is rooted in the originality and efforts of the activists of this art and craft.

He pointed out: The responsibility of managers and executive bodies for this cultural and economic capacity is not just holding the festival and its symbolic introduction; Besides cultural events, it should also be planned to produce specialized content, promote scientific knowledge, commercialize, industrialize, and develop the export of felt products.

Emphasizing the necessity of using managerial and executive capacities to support the activists of this field, Vahidian stated: Urban management can strengthen the field of development of this art-industry by facilitating, designing and implementing support and incentive packages and providing suitable conditions for the activities of producers.

He added: The General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts can also play a role in the development of felt by providing facilities and creating suitable conditions for artists and activists in this field. Also, considering its capacities in the field of commercialization and industrialization of indigenous products and arts, the Chamber of Commerce can be effective in expanding the market of these products.

Referring to the role of universities and scientific centers in the development of this area, the mayor of Shahrekord said: University complexes can also provide the basis for the promotion of felt through education, research, explaining the existing capacities and promoting this art at the level of the city and province.

Vahidian thanked the artists and artisans active in the field of textile and the professors who played a role in preserving and promoting this original art, and expressed hope that with the synergy of executive bodies, educational centers, university collections, the Chamber of Commerce and the private sector, the field for the growth and excellence of Shahrekord native arts will be provided more than ever.

He emphasized: the revival of the real place of felt in Shahrekord should be pursued based on the original and rooted capacities of this region, and with basic planning, specialized training and support for producers, this art-industry will achieve its rightful place.

The mayor of Shahrekord, referring to the capacity of non-financial job creation in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, noted: the prospects for the development of this art and craft are clear, and with the cooperation and participation of all related institutions and activists, its capacities can be used to boost production, create job opportunities, and help reduce unemployment in the province.

In the end, he expressed his hope that the establishment of the specialized felt department will be a starting point for the expansion of skill training, the development of innovative products, and the strengthening of the link between tradition and new technologies, and will provide the basis for a more effective presence of Shahrekord felt products in domestic and foreign markets.