Local art and local people's hospitality

Two phenomena of “rural people’s hospitality” and “local art” are observable in local areas of Iran while an NGO is working as facilitators, mentors, consultants or implementers of community based projects with local people. When community members recognize you as a person/team who supposed to help them to be more empowered in community development process, they feed you with their local food. It doesn’t matter what they have at home, they try to do their best for their guests.

The other phenomenon which is very observable in local market is traditional art. You can see it everywhere. If you travel from the north to the south or from the west to the east, there are many small shops selling art products beside the roads. Although Iran’s market is full of Chinese products, especially during the last five years, Iranian handicrafts are still luxury products which are being offered by sellers.

Zahedan: Mirror made by local women

Qeshmi women embroidery

Small Cushion: Touran National Park

Decorative curtain made of "Peganum.hermla" seed (Espand)

Hand made blouse by a local women in a village around Touran Nation Park

Handicrafts made by local women, Touran National Park

Handicrafts made by local women, Touran National Park

Kilim, made by local women in a village named Zaman Abad, Touran National Park

Embroidery, made by local women in a village named Ahmad Abad, Touran National Park

Small kilim, made by local women in a village named Khankhodi, Touran National Park

Small kilim, made by local women in a village named Khankhodi, Touran National Park

Wall carpet, woven by local women in a village named Sarab Karian, Kermanshah (North west of Iran)

Ceramic bowl and plate, Yazd

Wall carpet woven by local women's group in a village named Ahmad Abad during a project for conservation of Asiatic Cheetah, Touran National Park

Local industry of copper, Tafresh (my home town)

Weaving Giveh, a traditional shoe, Kurdistan

Baskets woven by local women, villages in Boushehr (South of Iran, near Persian Gulf)

Ceramic shop, Lalejin, Hamedan

Wall carpet, woven  by local women in a village named Khankhodi, Touran National Park

Decorative curtain, Shiraz traditional Bazaar

Ahmad Abad village, the facilitator with local governor and local people, conservation of Asiatic Cheetah project, Touran National Park

Lunch with members of an NGO, Hamedan (North west of Iran)

Lunch with members of a local women's group, conservation of Asiatic Cheetah project, Touran National Park

Dinner with a game guard in Bojnourd, Salouk protected area (North east of Iran)

Dinner with a game guard in Bojnourd, Salouk protected area (North east of Iran)

Tea in a villager's home, project of awareness raising on Asiatic Leopard, a village in Boushehr (South of Iran, near Persian Gulf)

Dinner with a villager, project of awareness raising on Asiatic Leopard, a village in Boushehr (South of Iran, near Persian Gulf)

Breakfast with a member of local group in a village named Ziarat, Golestan National Park (North of Iran)

Breakfast with a member of local group in a village named Ziarat, Golestan National Park (North of Iran)

Dinner in Kermanshah, with a member of an NGO in his auntie's home (North west of Iran)

Breakfast in Kermanshah, with a member of an NGO in his auntie's home (North west of Iran)