Tehran – Already a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yazd’s ancient city is considered to be the designated world city by the World Craft Council (WCC) as a world city for traditional and handmade jewelry.
On Saturday, a team of WCC experts arrived at Yazd to assess the potential for this honorable title and engaged with local artisans and officials.
Famous for the Kousal Hall, head office of Governor Yazd, attended by Iranian Vice Minister of Handicrafts and Traditional Arts, Yazd Jalali de Dekorudi, Governor Mohammadreza Babai of Yazd Province, other civil servants and other civil servants. A meeting was held.
Jalali-Dehkordi is working on conferences to highlight the importance of connecting traditional identity-based economies with digital markets, and by integrating traditional crafts with the latest technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, the world is being made. It says it can significantly improve reach.
She praised Yazd’s deep rooted artistic heritage and emphasized the role of artisans who are capable of sustaining and passing craft throughout generations.
Jalali-Dehkordi also noted that the city’s unique combination of cultural conservation and modernization has made it a leading candidate for international recognition. She highlighted the need for public and private sector cooperation as well as unity among Yazd artisans to successfully expand into the global market.
On his part, Babaei emphasizes the importance of the evaluation process, calling it a turning point in Yazd’s traditional jewelry industry. He noted that the city’s multicultural history, including religious diversity, contributes to its rich artistic traditions.
He expressed optimism that by acquiring the WCC label, it would not only enhance Yazd’s cultural status, but also promote economic growth and innovation in the craft sector.
If approved, the designation of traditional and handmade jewelry as a world city marks another milestone in Yazd’s long and renowned history as the centre of craftsmanship and cultural heritage.
Yazdi Zargari
Zargari’s history in the historic city of Yazd, or the art of gemmaking, dates back about 2,000 years, as supported by credible evidence. This ancient ship has been handed down for generations, maintaining a unique and complex technique that makes it almost impossible to replicate Yazdi gems. Several exquisite works date back 500 years ago have been discovered only at Yazd.
Jewelry manufacturing is one of Yazd’s most famous traditional arts and is recognized internationally as Yazdi Zargari.
Unlike the standard 18 carat gold commonly produced in Iran, traditional goldsmiths at Yazd create works with 20 carat fineness. This higher purity level is one of the key factors behind the respected reputation of Yazd’s traditional gemstones.
Available evidence shows the discovery of gems from the Parthian period about 2,000 years ago in the historic area of Meriz. These findings further proof the city’s deep, deep-rooted heritage in gold decoration.
One of Yazd’s most iconic gem works is the “Ago Abi” chain, named after its own manufacturing technology. The characteristic of this chain is its extraordinary softness, designed to mimic water flowability. Made with delicate golden filaments, rods and 20 carat gold rings native to Yazd, often combined with copper and silver alloys.
Other traditional chain manufacturing methods such as “Hell Marile Yazdi”, “Toop Marile Yazdi”, and “Hell Va Gol e Yazd” are unique techniques belonging to Yazdi Zargari. .
These traditional artisanal techniques are officially recognized and registered as part of Iran’s intangible cultural heritage, ensuring the preservation of future generations.
Must-see destinations
In July 2017, Yazd, the capital of the province, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yazd is called a fun place to stay regularly, or a destination that you “don’t miss” by almost all visitors. The city is filled with mud experts with innovative Badgars (windcatchers), atmospheric alleys and many Islamic and Iranian monuments that shape the eye-catching urban landscape.
Cultural heritage experts believe that Yazd is a living testimony to the intellectual use of the limited resources available in the desert for survival. The canut system brings water into the city. Each city district is built on Qanat and has a joint centre. Additionally, Earth use in buildings includes walls and roofs through the construction of safes and domes. The house is built in courtyards below ground level and serves the underground area. Wind catchers, courtyards and thick earthy walls create a comfortable microclimate.
The historic core of Yazd is the trembling of muddy houses, bazaars, public baths, aquariums, mosques, synagogues, Zoroastrian temples and centuries of gardens. From a divine perspective, cities enjoy the peaceful coexistence of three religions: Islam, Judaism and Zoroastrianism.
Yazd has a large number of canuts that have been supplying agricultural and permanent settlements for thousands of years. The underground canut system carved by humans relies on streams filled with snow that flows at the foot of the surrounding mountains. The oldest water supply to Yazd is estimated from the Sassanid period (224-651 CE) to the present day. However, many others have been continuously repaired and used over time, and the AB-Anbar (traditional muddy water tank) that is currently surviving is now the late Safavid and Kajar You can trace it to the times.
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