IRNA - Two cities of Meybod, Abadeh and Khorashad village were registered by World Handicrafts Council as the world city of Zilu (cotton carpet), marquetry and Tobafi (Iranian fabric-weaving art) respectively, said the head of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO).


Ali Asghar Mounesan added that three experts from the World Crafts Council, an affiliate of UNESCO, recently visited Tobafi workshops in Khorashad village of Birjand in South Khorasan Province, eastern Iran, to take a closer look at the traditional art, according to IRNA.

The Tobafi art, as the only handicraft skill in the province, has been nominated to receive the originality seal from the Culture Ministry.

Last month, assessors of the council visited Meybod, Yazd Province, to review and evaluate the global registration of Zilu (cotton carpet).

At present, having registered eight cities and two villages in the organization, Iran stands first in terms of the number of the registered sites, Mounesan said.

The official further hoped that other Iranian cities would be nominated for the title in the future.

Mashhad, Lalejin, Isfahan and Tabriz have already been recorded as the world cities of gemstones, pottery, handicrafts and handwoven carpets, respectively.

Marivan's giveh (Klash weaving), Sirjan's Shiriki Peech kilim and Kalpoorgan's 7,000-year old pottery were also registered by the international body.