Isfahan is a name that can be associated with all the positive and loved traits that may be assigned to a city. This city, from the distant past, has maintained a bold presence in the history, poetry and oral memory of Iranian people and the world’s population, and now it also occupies a well-deserved place which reflects the unmatched will and creativity of this unique area. The artworks of ancient days of Isfahan, especially in Seljuk, Al Muzaffar and Safavid ages, have created an unmatched collection of this city up to the point that it has been called “half of the world”.One of the very positive features of Isfahan is that it has not relied only on its historical honors and continues on toward excellence and progress and the attainment of honors such as being the cultural capital of the Islamic world, WCC-World city of handicrafts, and creative city of handicrafts can confirm this position.
The city of Isfahan, due to the historical buildings and monuments that are remnants of the beginning of Islamic era and architectural masterpieces created after the arrival of Islam, and being appointed as the political capital city in three upheaval periods of history of Islamic Iran (Dialme, Seljuk and Safavid dynasties), the unparalleled works of artists in the fields of traditional arts and handicrafts, has maintained its lofty position to this date and still maintains its dynamism, vitality and liveliness. Most importantly, in this city, its museum and gemstone (Imam Square) is the biggest production and supply market of traditional handicrafts in Iranian territory (which is perhaps considered as one of the most unique places in the world in this regard). The city of Isfahan, due to its valuable standing in the field of traditional arts and handicrafts (not only in the country but also in the world), after continuous attempts of national and provincial authorities of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (in the scope of the deputies of traditional arts and handicrafts), was officially introduced as the Global City of Handicrafts by the World Crafts Council (WCC) in 2015, The Isfahan province with an area of 106179 square kilometers, covers 6.25% of the total area of the country.It is adjacent to ten provinces, The city of Isfahan, with its ancient history and historical monuments is one of the famous cities in Iran and the world. The name Isfahan has always been a reminder of traditional arts and handicrafts. Based on the latest statistics released by the Office of Traditional Arts and Handicrafts, at present, 299 fields have been classified in 18 groups. Over two thirds of these fields have been registered in Isfahan Province, and with over 60fields, the City of Isfahan is known as the first in the country from the point of view of number of fields and their variety. Moreover, with over 15000 individual and group workshops and with more than 20000 artisans and industrialists, too, this city is known as the first in the country with regard to the number of working population. Among the most important existing fields, engraving, inlaying, enameling, turquoise studding, traditional tile-making, portraying etc. after selection of Isfahan (in 2015) and issuing the relevant guidelines in May 2016, immediately the initial actions were taken in this area and the Secretariat of the World started its activities.
