Mehregan Festival highlights Kurdestan heritage
A ceremony marking the second anniversary of Mehregan Festival’s inscription on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list was held at the historic Karaftu Cave in Kurdistan Province on Friday.
Addressing the ceremony, Arash Zarehtan Lahoni, governor of Kurdistan Province, said holding the festival near the historic cave offers an opportunity to showcase Kurdistan Province’s cultural and historical heritage and draw greater attention to the site as efforts continue to secure its inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, according to chtn.ir.
Zarehtan Lahoni said the festival was being held in the province for the second consecutive year near the historic cave, adding that the decision to choose the site was intended to raise public awareness of its historical significance and cultural potential.
He noted that efforts were underway to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for Karaftu Cave, stressing that cultural events at historical sites can help familiarize the public with the province’s valuable heritage and strengthen Kurdistan’s tourism profile.
Emphasizing the importance of continuing the festival in the coming years, the governor said the strong public reception demonstrated the province’s capacity to host cultural and tourism events. He added that such programs play an important role in promoting Kurdistan’s historical and cultural assets.
Mohsen Fat’hi, head of the Iranian Parliament’s Tourism Faction, also stressed the need to introduce Kurdistan’s historical and cultural attractions to national and international audiences.
He said completing the nomination dossier and preparing the necessary documentation for the cave’s proposed inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List remained a priority, with efforts continuing to advance the process.
Fat’hi recalled that the need to pursue World Heritage status for the cave had been highlighted during last year’s Mehregan Festival. He added that appropriate funding had been allocated to advance the nomination and that a team was responsible for preparing and completing the required documentation.
He expressed hope that, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, the dossier would be submitted in the near future for the next stages of the nomination process.
Referring to the cave’s significance in Kurdistan’s historical and cultural identity, Fat’hi said the inscription of the Hawraman Cultural Landscape on UNESCO’s World Heritage List had helped raise the international profile of the province. He added that the cave could similarly help promote Kurdistan’s heritage and attract more tourists if its nomination succeeds.
Pouya Talebnia, director general of Kurdistan’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department, said Mehregan was an ancient Iranian festival embodying values such as affection, friendship and solidarity.
He described holding the celebration at one of the province’s prominent historical sites as an opportunity to promote Kurdistan’s cultural heritage and tourism potential simultaneously.
Talebnia noted that Mehregan had been jointly inscribed by Iran and Tajikistan on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. He said commemorating the festival helped pass ancient Iranian traditions on to future generations.
He added that choosing Karaftu Cave as the venue not only honored the festival but also brought the site’s historical and cultural significance into focus, helping strengthen cultural tourism and event-based tourism in the province. Talebnia also highlighted the role of local artists and cultural groups in showcasing Kurdistan’s arts and traditions alongside the region’s historical landmarks.
The ceremony marking the second anniversary of Mehregan’s inscription featured a range of cultural and artistic programs, including a performance by a group of 1,000 tanbur musicians, an address by historian and cultural researcher Mohammad Ali Soltani, a display of purebred Kurdish horses, Kurdish music performances, and an exhibition of handicrafts and local products.
Located in Divandarreh, Karaftu Cave is one of Kurdistan Province’s prominent historical sites. Its rock-cut architecture, carved-out spaces and archaeological significance have given it a distinctive place among Iran’s historical landmarks.
Preparations for the cave’s proposed inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List are ongoing, with further research and the completion of specialized documentation remaining key steps in the process.
Mehregan, rooted in Zoroastrian traditions, symbolizes the end of the harvest season and the start of autumn to express gratitude to God for granting livelihood.