TEHRAN–Deputy Minister of Culture and Heritage Ali Darabi stressed the importance of completing the world registration document for Bonab Kebab.
Bonab kebab is a type of kebab made with mutton, onions, and salt. It is named after the city of Bonab in East Azerbaijan province in northwestern Iran, where it originates.
According to IRIB news agency, Mr. Dharavi emphasized the unique position of the Bonab region in the cultural geography of the northwestern part of the country.
Speaking at a working group session of the Bonab Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, he pointed out the issue of intangible heritage and said that the world registration of Bonab Kebab is a cultural activity and an opportunity for cultural diplomacy. He added that Bonab County should be the center of national programs for conservation, exploration and global adoption.
Mr. Dharavi emphasized the need to quickly complete the dossier, appoint a manager for the global registration process, and assemble a team that includes researchers, historians, documentarians, and food ritual experts. “Inviting ambassadors from regional countries could be a prelude to strengthening the international dimension of this file.”
Noting Bonab County’s unique capabilities in the field of heritage and tourism, he said the county is a center of living history and the future of tourism in the northwestern part of the country. ”
Dharavi also considered the restoration of the historic Mosque known as Guermes (Red) in Bonab an essential project and called for accurate estimates and inclusion of this project in the county’s restoration agenda.
He announced five immediate measures against Bonab. These include the development of a cultural heritage base in Savar village, the start of excavations in the Mehrabad region, the completion of Bonab Kebab related documents, the organization of the landscape of historical villages, and the promotion of public participation. He considered these to be the necessary conditions to transform Bonab into one of the most important cultural heritage centers in the north-west of the country.
One of the spiritual and unique attractions of Bonab is the old seminary known as Hazrat Vali Asr (AS). The seminary serves as an educational center for Friday prayer imams from surrounding cities. Bonab Seminary operates independently from Tabriz Seminary, is known as the largest seminary in the country after Qom Seminary, and plays an important role in religious education in the region.
KD