Iran seeks UNESCO recognition for traditional felt-making and Tirgan festival

TEHRAN - Two cultural heritage files from Iran, one for traditional felt-making and another for the Tirgan festival, have been submitted for evaluation by UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee in 2026.

By Elahe Seyfodin

Timeless art of making traditional felt hats: enduring legacy of Iran’s nomadic culture

As the first light of dawn graces the sky with hues of gold, a familiar scene unfolds in an old neighborhood of Isfahan. In a modest workshop, the master artisan Aliakbar awakens to begin his daily ritual. His hands, weathered by years of dedication, deftly navigate the intricacies of Kolah Namadi making, a craft passed down through generations.