Handicrafts Training Courses Begin in Qaleh Bala, a Tourism Village in Semnan Province

Seyed Mohammad-Sadegh Razvian announced the initiative today, Wednesday, July 15, 2026, explaining that the handicrafts training courses were launched to make greater use of Qaleh Bala’s unique potential and to strengthen the connection between tourism and household livelihoods. The courses cover four practical and artistic disciplines. The Head of the Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Shahrud County added that the training courses, covering embroidery, silk embroidery, mat weaving, and kilim weaving, began on July 14 and will continue through August 1, 2026. The classes are being offered throughout the village to women and all other interested residents. Emphasizing the role of such initiatives in sustainable development, he said that Qaleh Bala, as one of the villages recognized through the global tourism initiative, has significant potential in the fields of cultural heritage and handicrafts. Holding these classes is not only an important step toward preserving and passing down traditional and indigenous arts to future generations, but also toward empowering rural women. The initiative can help them create handcrafted products inspired by the village’s cultural identity and make them available to visitors. Razvian concluded by noting that combining technical skills training with the region’s tourism potential can create sustainable employment opportunities and stimulate the local economy. He expressed hope that strong participation from local residents would contribute to the further growth and development of handicrafts in this prominent village.