IRAQ: Handmade Iraqi Kurdish carpets receive international boost

Handmade Iraqi Kurdish carpets will debut at international fairs after the Iraqi Ministry of Culture for the Kurdistan region signs a deal to provide U.S. companies with traditional Kurdish carpets. An agreement between the Iraqi Kurdish Ministry of Culture and U.S. companies has boosted the Kurdish carpet industry in Iraq, and has paved the way for Kurdish carpet manufacturers to exhibit their work at international fairs. The Kasnazan Centre in the northern Iraqi city of Arbil is one of the factories to benefit from the agreement. The centre has produced thousands of hand-woven carpets decorated with elaborate traditional Kurdish images and designs. The factory, which works in close collaboration with the Kurdish Ministry of Culture, employs 73 labourers, all women, and has become known for its distinguished and highly skilled carpet production. With demand for their hand-made carpets growing, the weavers are calling for the government to pay more attention to their craft and showcase them. "Our work is good and our products are very good. Our factory is the first, not only in the Kurdistan region, but in all Iraq. We would like them (the government) to pay attention to us so that the creative work of Kurdish woman in this area can be displayed. We are satisfied with our work," said factory worker Arrana Faizollah. Kurdish rugs and kelims are woven out of cotton, wool or goat hair on a relatively narrow loom, in an array of colours, shapes and designs. The popular designs vary from geometric or floral designs to images of Kurdish political figures. Thanks to the new international recognition of Kurdish carpets, prices have reached 100 to 200 US dollars per square meter. The Kasnazan handmade carpet centre was established in 1979. At the time, it was one of three that collaborated with the Ministry of Culture. A year ago, seven other factories became associated with the ministry, which considers them promoters of Kurdish cultural heritage. Head of Kurdistan's Association of Carpet Makers Chabouk Qadir Rasheed draws attention to how far the carpet-making factories have come. "At the beginning, these were educational centres for rehabilitating the families of martyrs and families who suffered under the former regime. Then these centres became factories which produce different kinds of carpets in various sizes and colours," said Rasheed. Rasheed said the sizes and colours of the carpets to be exported to the U.S. will be chosen by the U.S. client companies themselves, adding that the contract is worth 100,000 US dollars and will last for five years. The carpets will also be displayed at an international carpet fair to be held in the U.S. later this year. Rasheed said Iraqi Kurdish factories would supply the fair with 119 carpets. "The Kurdish carpet which displays the words 'Arbil, Kurdistan' will be shown alongside carpets from seventy companies from countries like Kenya, Afghanistan, Hindustan (India), Pakistan and Turkey. (These carpets) will be displayed in fairs in the US. This will make us happier than the financial aspect will," said Rasheed. The fair is expected to be held in December 2007, with New York city on the agenda to host the exhibition. Carpets and Kelims from different parts of the world will be displayed in this fair, along with other handicrafts.

ITN Source | September 17, 2007

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