TEHRAN - Maryam Jalali-Dehkordi, Iran’s deputy minister for handicrafts and traditional arts, has been selected as an international evaluator to assess the nomination of Sibay in Russia’s Bashkortostan Republic as a World Crafts City, Iran’s Cultural Heritage News Agency reported.

Jalali-Dehkordi, who is also a member of the World Crafts Council (WCC), will join a team of global experts tasked with reviewing Sibay’s application for the designation, CHTN reported on Sunday.

Sibay, located in the Urals on the historical boundary between Europe and Asia, has applied for recognition in crafts such as stone and wood painting, stone carving, felt-making, and traditional women’s clothing and jewelry.

Traditional handicrafts are a key part of Bashkortostan’s heritage. More than 100 artisans in Sibay are active in fields including stone and wood carving, pottery, felt-making, carpet weaving, embroidery and jewelry-making. The city has linked its craft development to plans for expanding cultural tourism.

AM