TEHRAN-- Over 1,300 individuals have been trained as crafters in the southern province of Fars throughout the very first nine months of the present Iranian fiscal year (March 21-December 21), the deputy provincial tourist chief has actually said.

An overall of 1,354 people went to the handicrafts training courses in 14 fields in Fars throughout the very first nine months of the year, Behzad Ahmadi Farsani described on Saturday.

The courses consisted of kilim, mini, mirror work, wood sculpting, and woodwork, the official included.

The ancient region of Fars, also spelled Pars or Persis, was the heart of the Achaemenian Empire (c.

550-- 330 BC), which was established by Cyrus the Great and had its capital at Pasargadae.

Darius I the Great moved the capital to neighboring Persepolis in the late 6th or early 5th century BC.With 14 entries, Iran ranks first worldwide for the variety of cities and villages signed up by the World Crafts Council, as China with 7 entries, Chile with 4, and India with 3 ones come next.

Shiraz is called a world city of [ varied] handicrafts , Malayer is a worldwide hub for woodcarving and carved-wood furnishings, while Zanjan has acquired the title of a world city of filigree .

ABU/MG