TEHRAN – Zanjan is playing host to an ethnic festival that features nationwide customs of Iranians along with handicrafts and souvenirs.

“The event provides visitors with an opportunity to re-discover ethnicities from across the country,” the provincial tourism chief said on Monday.

Running from May 5 to 10, the event is a notable outcome of the synergy between the public and the authorities, Saeed Safavi said.

“Moreover, it is a venue for purchasing handicrafts and souvenirs as well.”

He further elaborated on the primary goal of the festival, stating that such events create a great atmosphere for cultural exchange and could lead to the continuation of the art within the artisans.

“Communal happiness is what we’re trying to achieve,” Safavi added.

According to the official, the festival will include traditional music performances, exhibitions, and the introduction of cultures and customs hailing from across the country.

He further detailed that the festival would span six days and focus on promoting a vast array of Iranian traditions.

“The festival feature 95 segments,” the director-general explained. “Dedicated to 15 provinces across Iran.”

Regarding the participants, he outlined that Zanjan, Tehran, East and West Azerbaijan, Hamedan, Qazvin and Gilan are some of the active provinces throughout the course of the six-day festival.

Kordestan, Fars, Kermanshah, Alborz, Yazd, Khorasan Razavi, Lorestan along with Khuzestan are the other provinces having stalls in the exhibition, according to the official.

“The Iranian Ethnicities Festival has been set to run from May 5 to 10, welcoming the enthusiasts from 4 to 10 PM” Safavi winded up. “Taking place at Zanjan International Exhibitions Center.”

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