Meet the Esteemed Judges of the 9th International Fajr Handicrafts Festival!
The 9th International Fajr Handicrafts Festival, known as Sarv-e Simin, is making waves in the art world with its esteemed panel of judges and evaluators. This festival, a celebration of traditional craftsmanship, not only showcases the rich heritage of Iranian artisans but also encourages international collaboration in the field of handicrafts.
Recently, the festival announced its distinguished panel of judges, which includes notable international figures such as:
- Baby Jurmawati from Indonesia
- Roxana Amarilla from Argentina
- Sandip Kumar from India
- Sitthichai Smanchat from Thailand
These judges represent the World Crafts Council and bring a wealth of experience to the festival. They will be joined by a panel of respected Iranian experts, including:
- Ardeshir Mojarad Takestani – Veteran in Persian miniature
- Mohammad Taqi Ashouri – Faculty member at the University of Art
- Mohammad Hassan Golchinpour – Expert in metalwork
- Mohammad Reza Sharifzadeh – Professor of visual arts
- Ardeshir Mirmangereh – Former deputy of visual arts at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance
- Mehdi Amraei – University faculty member
- Zhila Rassam Arabzadeh – Handicrafts expert
- Mehdi Mohammadi – Head of the handicrafts department at Soore University
- Arash Heydarian – Active participant in the handmade carpet and handicrafts sector
The evaluation process for the submissions is being conducted electronically, with 13 judges actively assessing the artworks that have reached the final stage since Friday. Ultimately, six outstanding works will be selected for recognition.
Maryam Jalali-Dehkordi, the deputy minister of handicrafts at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, revealed that over 7,000 artworks were submitted to the festival’s secretariat. From these, 200 pieces were selected for further evaluation, with only a limited number to be awarded. She emphasized that the evaluation process is entirely transparent and based on clearly defined criteria.
Jalali further noted the involvement of judges with expertise in marketing, administration, and academia, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of the handicrafts chain. In recent years, the Sarv-e Simin trophy has gained significant international recognition, and selected works will be featured in upcoming handicrafts auctions.
This year’s festival introduces a new initiative: the “People’s Choice” award. This award will be determined through online voting, allowing the public to participate in selecting the most outstanding artworks. Seyyed Amin Sanei Mehri, the executive secretary of the Sarv-e Simin festival, explained that this new feature aims to enhance public engagement and appreciation for handicrafts.
Visitors to the exhibitions can cast their votes using QR codes available at the exhibits or through the festival’s website at fajr.mcth.ir. The artwork receiving the most votes will be announced during the festival’s closing ceremony, where the artist will also be honored. This initiative is designed to promote handicrafts and raise public awareness in this vibrant field.
The Sarv-e Simin Handicrafts Festival is being held at the Sa’dabad Cultural-Historical Complex and will continue until Monday, February 24. Out of a total of 8,173 submissions, 7,974 entries originated from 4,378 Iranian artists, while 198 entries were submitted by artists from 20 different countries, including Tajikistan, Afghanistan, France, Thailand, the UK, India, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. Notably, Tajikistan had the highest number of entries among international participants, while Isfahan and Shiraz were the leading contributors from Iran.
According to the organizers, the 9th International Fajr Festival of Handicrafts is poised to be a major cultural event, fostering international exchange and celebrating Iran’s rich artistic heritage. The festival aims to highlight traditional skills that have been passed down through generations and inspire future artisans to embrace these time-honored practices, thereby creating new economic opportunities for craftsmen.
Experts in the field emphasize that each Iranian handicraft is more than just a product; it encapsulates a narrative of history, artistry, and cultural pride, passed down through generations of dedicated artisans. Current data from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts reveals that Iran’s annual handicraft exports are approximately $250 million, along with another $250 million in informal “suitcase” exports. This underscores a significant growth opportunity in a global market for handicrafts valued at $770 billion.
Additionally, a selection of 13 cities and three villages in Iran has been registered by the World Council of Handicrafts as “world cities of handicrafts.” This recognition not only enhances the visibility of Iran’s craftsmanship but also encourages local artisans to continue their traditions while exploring new markets.
