Tehran(IP) - Iran's minister of cultural heritage, tourism, and handicraft Aliasghar Mounesan said on Tuesday that Iran’s handicrafts production has an upward trend in our country, and could revive Iranian-Islamic identity.

Iran PressIran news: Paying a visit to one of the handicraft workshops in Tehran, Mounesan visit the latest products made by Iranian artists, also the way that they are packed and export to other countries.

"Craft production have an upward trend in our country, and could revive Iranian-Islamic identity," Mounesan noted.

Today we witness Iranian-Islamic products and art, while we were using foreign products in the last year, he added.

During the event which was held on the occasion of “world handicraft day”, the minister inaugurated four projects in four provinces, Golestan, Gilan, Kermanshah, and Kerman via video conferencing.

Martyr Lt. General Qasem Soleimani 's image, designed by Iranian artists was unveiled in Kerman and the minister said that his character and biography will be nationally registered.

Iranian art and architecture reflect a 5,000-year-old cultural tradition with a significant development over history.

Numerous artists have produced beautiful items that are known throughout the world. The most famous Iranian handicrafts include the Persian Carpet, Minakari (glass carvings on silver), Miniature, Khatamkari, and Ghalamzani (Metal-work).

Iran exported $427 million worth of handicrafts during the first eleven months of the past calendar year 1398 (ended March 19). Of the figure, some $190 million was earned via suitcase trade (allowed for customs-free and tax-free transfer) through 20 provinces.

Some 295 fields of handicraft are currently practiced across Iran with more than two million people engaging, the majority of whom are women. Handicrafts also play an important role in the economy in our rural village.

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