Iran named as special guest in Italy's handicrafts fair

Iran was named as the Special Guest to the 2014 edition of the International Handicrafts Trade Fair in the Italian city of Florence. “We are pleased with the presence of Iran as Special Guest Country of the 78th edition of the exhibition,” Iranian Ambassador to Rome Jahanbakhsh Mozaffari said. “This exhibition will be a great opportunity to introduce Iranian arts and Persian culture as one of the most ancient human civilizations,” he added, press tv reported. Divergent Iranian arts including miniature, paintings, ceramic, hand-made glass, and metal products are to represent the country’s heritage. The exhibition will also display exquisite Persian carpets including hand-woven and tableau carpets as well as nomadic rugs and Gelim (Kilim). Iran’s famous nuts like pistachios and typical sweets will be also presented at the exhibition. While Iran’s handicrafts have worldwide fame, some 141 Iranian craft products received the 2012 UNESCO Award of Excellence for Handicrafts The Award’s jury judged the submitted products based on several categories such as excellence in production and design, expression of identity and innovation. The 78th edition of Florence International Handicrafts Trade Fair will take place from April 24 through May 1, 2014.