Iranica Desk

Based on the decision made by the Iranian taskforce for fighting the coronavirus, travel restrictions from neighboring countries to Iran were lifted thanks to the efforts taken by the officials of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Ministry.
Announcing the above, Tourism Deputy of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Minister Ali-Asqar Shalbafan added that the ban on entry from France and Britain, and eight African countries continues, Mehr News Agency reported.
He said Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho and Botswana are the eight African countries from which travel to Iran is prohibited.
“Vaccinated travelers who observe the health protocols and have a negative result of the COVID-19 PCR test can cross the land borders of Iran,” he stated.

 

Iranica Desk

A national handicraft exhibition was inaugurated in the city of Zanjan, in the northwestern province of Zanjan, on Tuesday evening in the presence of a number of provincial officials and representatives of the media, said the director general of the province’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization.
Amir Arjmand said that handicraft artists from 12 provinces are displaying their works in the exhibition, which is being held at the Caspian International Exhibition Center of Zanjan Province, from Jan 11 to 14, chtn.ir wrote.
Referring to the outbreak of COVID-19 and problems created for those involved in the handicraft sector, he noted that the exhibition is aimed to help improve the industry and boost business environment for Iranian craftspeople.
He emphasized that all health protocols are observed at the exhibition.
Deputy Head of Zanjan Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Organization Elnaz Khodaeifard said earlier that filigree, repoussage, and knife-making of Zanjan received the National Heritage Status from the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Ministry in 2018.
She added that the city of Zanjan was named as the ‘World City of Filigree’ by the World Crafts Council (WCC) a year later.
“The most precious pieces of filigree in the world are currently manufactured in Zanjan, according to WCC experts, although filigree is also made in other parts of the country,” said Khodaeifard.
Khodaeifard said knife-making is the signature of Zanjan’s handicrafts in the world, adding, “An ancient technique has been followed in making the knives up to the present, which has led to the top quality of the
product.”
 

Iranica Desk

Esjil Village is one of the most beautiful and prosperous villages of the city of Chenaran, located 40 kilometers from Mashhad, in the northeastern province of Khorasan Razavi.
Thanks to its location at the foot of a mountain, Esjil Village enjoys a relatively mild and pleasant climate, chtn.ir reported.
There have been many stories about the name of Esjil. Some people believe that the word Esjil was actually Esgel, which means a place made of clay and mud. It is said that this village existed before the advent of Islam in Iran. Because the letter j does not exist in the Arabic alphabet, after the conquest of this area by Arab Muslims, its name was changed from Esgel to Esjel. Later, with the addition of the letter i, it has been transformed to Esjil. Historical documents show that humans settled in the area since the first millennium BCE.
In volume three of the book, entitled, “Geology of Iran,” Abbas Jafari wrote: “Esjil Village has three types of climate: Temperate, dry and mountainous. A river is flowing in the village located on the northern slopes of the Binalood Mountain.”
Several historical hills are situated in Esjil Village, which is one of the oldest in the region.
The village has an ancient fortified tower, registered on Iran’s National Heritage List. It is one of the most important and popular tourist attractions of the region. The castle, dating back to the Qajar Era (1789-1925 CE) was built with a high fence and several towers to guard the people who lived in it.
Located right on the river bank, Esjil is known as one of the most amazing villages of the province in terms of climate and architecture.
 

From the pre-Islamic era in Iran until recent times, Turkmen horses played an important role in the wars and victories of Iranian kings, especially Nader Shah Afshar (1688-1747 CE), one of the most powerful rulers in
history.
The Chinese people were also well aware and very fond of Turkmen horses. They even called them “Heavenly Horses,” tasteiran.net wrote.
Where to find Turkmen Horses

Iranian Turkmens live in the northeastern part of the country. They were initially inhabitants of a larger area, from northwest of Kazakhstan to Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, to the north and northwest of Afghanistan and northeaster Iran. About a third of this population live in Iran; they speak Turkish and Persian, and they have strong cultural representations. During the time of Stalin in the former Soviet Union, some Turkmens fled to Iran. The land they lived in is called “Turkmen Sahra.” As they migrated to Iran, they did not leave their honorable culture or their horses behind.

Role of Turkmen Horses amongst Turkmens

Traditionally, the Turkmens were nomadic people, living as tribes in tents and villages, going from one place to another. For most nomadic people, horses play an important role. They are part of their culture, tradition and identity. For Turkmens, their horse means everything to them. Their lifestyle and culture are tied with horsemanship. Turkmen horses are beyond being just a beauty. They have a reputation for their speed, intelligence and strength. Their adaptation to extreme climate conditions makes them one of the toughest in the world.

Characteristics

In 1881, based on the treaty of Akhal, signed by Czarist Russia and Iran, Turkmen tribes were separated. A small part of them remained in Iran. Later on, with all the social changes throughout the years, especially during the Soviet period, one Turkmen tribe remained loyal to their traditions, one of which is horse breeding.
Akhal-Teke is one of the most distinctive and most unusual horse breeds in the world. It was bred in the oases of the Turkmenistan desert in northern Iran around 3,000 years ago. Akhal-Teke breeds are such that they are only suited for horse races and long-distance performances.
There are several distinguished breeds of Turkmen horses in the world, with different purities in their genes. These breeds were created to resist the new geological conditions as well as the gradient mountains.
A solution was to combine them with the blood of Persian-Arab horses. This crossbreeding resulted in the creation of a new class called the Lomud. Chenaran is also a new class, which is a blend of Turkmen and Arab horses. Akhal-Teke, Lomud and Chenaran are the three main breeds in Iran. Since the 1920s, breeding has been done based on tradition.

Why are these horses so special?

The reason that these horses are so special is their traditional breeding. A professional breeder chooses the candidates, allows them to move freely around the hills and mountains, observes them, and makes the final decision on which stallions are best suited for generation.

Races, auctions and events

A popular activity in the Turkmen culture is horse racing. Horse racing is performed in almost all national holidays, tribe events, wedding parties, etc. Official horse races have been held in different cities such as Gonbad-e Kavous, Aq Qala and Bandar Turkaman since the 1920s. Also, there are annual events where people can buy and sell horses. A well-known public festival is held every year in the Sufian Village of Kalaleh County, Golestan Province.  
A horse beauty contest as well as horse races are other events that take place annually. Horses are judged based on their pedigree, their walking style and appearance. Also, an auction is held a day before the event for anyone interested in purchasing
new horses.

In the meeting of the National Council for the Registration of Immovable
Historical and Cultural Properties, thirty-six ancient monuments, located in four provinces, were registered on Iran’s National Heritage List, dolat.ir reported.