TEHRAN-The Managing Director of the Hamedan Touring and Tourism Organization, Farhad Farzaneh, stated that the Festival of Ancient Civilizations and Pottery will be held in this province in September. He said that the festival is being held to familiarize people with the ancient monuments of Hamedan and to encourage the private sector to invest in the region's tourism industry.

Farzaneh underlines, "Marketing to attract Iranian and foreign tourists in order to develop this industry and introducing the handicrafts of this province, including the pottery of Laljin, are the other programs of this festival." He mentioned that a scientific congress will also be held on September 4 in the assembly hall of Bou-Ali Sina University of Hamedan, saying, "During this festival articles on various ancient and cultural subjects will be presented." He added that musical performances and various other cultural programs will be held including the opening of Pottery Park in Laljin.

Farzaneh said,"Handicraft exhibitions and programs to introduce tourists to Hamedan will be held on the sidelines of the three-day festival, which is being sponsored by the General Office, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the Cultural Heritage Organization and the Touring and Tourism Organization of Hamedan." Festival events will be held on September 4 and 6 in Hamedan and on September 5 in the city of Laljin, which is located about 25 kilometers from Hamedan.