Tehran – A huge carpet depicting scenes from Iranian history will be on display in Bajand, the capital of South Khorasan province, according to local cultural heritage authorities.
Seyed Ahmad Barabadi of the South Holasan Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Bureau told reporters on Saturday that the carpets of the Kajal era represent both the state’s rich weaving traditions and the potential for tourism development.
According to Baraabadi, carpets in paintings are rare in the area, with most rugs traditionally decorated with geometric designs such as Lachak-Toranj and Kheshti. “The carpet is one of the few examples of painting designs, and is usually woven in special orders for individuals and state agencies,” he said.
The approximately 27 square meters of carpet is considered to be the largest variety in Iran and perhaps the world. It depicts a magnificent building above two rows of soldiers, each line showing 12 men in different uniforms. The design also includes human figures, women in local clothing, architectural features, plants, two ships, fish and water motifs.
Barabadi said the carpet is believed to have been woven in rural areas within South Holasan. He added that the image may portray historical events, which are likely related to Europe and India, but have been ordered by foreign guardians who have adapted to local cultural elements.
“The carpet contains many cultural and historical messages. It’s not just a decorative piece, it’s a historical document,” Barabadi said.
He said that the posters describing the eight heritage objects accompanied by the carpet have been translated into six languages: English, Arabic, French, Chinese and Russian, which helps to introduce the state’s cultural heritage to an international audience.
Baraabadi said the exhibition highlighted the role of South Khorasan as a hub of historic weaving, and aimed to connect its cultural identity with contemporary tourism promotion. “This is an opportunity to present hidden aspects of our heritage and demonstrates that South Khorasan has long been one of Iran’s important carpet weaving centres,” he said.
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