TEHRAN—Cultural heritage officials of Kordestan province have announced the new museum projects, revival of historical monuments with contribution of private sector and planning for turning Kordestan into the capital of event-based tourism.

Head of Kordestan Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department Pouya Talebnia told ILNA: “We have defined several projects to use the cultural heritage capacities. One of them includes raising the number of museums across Kurdistan province particularly the city of Sanandaj.”

Talebnia said that during the recent visit of Cultural Heritage Minister to Kordestan province, Khosrowabad palace museum project was defined. “This building is one the most remarkable monuments in the west of the country.

“We have Khosrowabad palace museum project on agenda. The Cultural Heritage Ministry has allocated an acceptable credit to it.”

He said currently, four state and private museums are active across the province, adding: “Six new museums will be launched. Khaneh Kord Museum and Archaeology Museum in Sanandaj, Karaftu Museum site and a private museum in Palangan village are among the new museums.”

Talebnia continued that inauguration of five other museums is on agenda, adding the one of them is Kordestan equestrian museum which will be launched by private sector and support of Kordestan Cultural Heritage Department.

“We are launching coin museum with cooperation of Bank Melli of Kordestan province. In addition, we have Khosrowabad palace museum and traditional arts museum.”

He emphasized: “These measures will help revive the historical monuments and boost introduction of historical relics. It will create more capacity for longer staying of tourists in Sanandaj.”

Talebnia said that the second phase of plan to revive historical monuments pertains to using the capacity of the private sector, adding that the historical monuments have been ceded to the private investors in recent years.

He added: “Currently, a work group has been considered for monitoring the physical progress the projects. If there are obstacles for the investors, the workgroup will study them to ease and remove the hindrances.”

Talebnia called continuing construction of Laleh Hotel in Sanandaj as of the most importance provincial projects, adding the Laleh Hotel is considered one of the most important hoteliering projects in west of the country.

Given the past events, climatic conditions and natural situation, Kordestan province has turned into the one of tourism destinations in the past decade through planning.

He said: “Our major programs in macro tourism policy is to introduce Kordestan as an event-based tourism capital. Because, two or three events can be planned and implemented in national and international levels every month.”

Kordestan is an area with ancient history and culture, breathtaking nature and hospitable people. It is a province which boasts soaring mountains, terraced villages, authentic Kordish music, and lasting handicrafts. It has an unparalleled capacity to attract domestic and foreign tourists.

This province with diverse national and historical attractions is considered one of the important tourism destinations in west of Iran.

Experience has shown that whenever conditions are favorable, the province’s accommodations are filled with visitors eager to explore its cultural and natural sites.

KD