UNESCO; A launching pad for the country’s traditional silk production hub

Registration of “Silkworm breeding” and “Traditional silk production” as the 21st element of intangible cultural heritage in the UNESCO organization; The hope of the artists of the small town of “Bayg” of Torbat Heydarieh in Khorasan Razavi province has increased for the prosperity of their business and exposure in international markets.
The city of Baig, 20 km west of Torbat Heydarieh and 170 km south of the holy Mashhad, has long been the pole of Iran’s silk production, so that despite the stagnation of the past years, 80 to 90 percent of the production of this product is still processed and extracted in the country and in Baig.

Not long ago, in the 17th meeting of the International Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO, which was hosted by Morocco, silkworm cultivation and traditional silk production as the 21st element of intangible cultural heritage of Iran jointly with the countries of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan was registered globally.

Shortly after this world event, the silk festival was held in the city of Baig Torbat Heydarieh with the presence of a group of officials from the country and Khorasan Razavi province.

Some experts and officials believe that this event has created a unique capacity for Baig city, so that it is not only an opportunity for the silk weaving workshops of this region to come out of the recession, but if the capacity is built, it can create new advantages in various fields, including tourism.

According to the belief of the representative of the people of Torbat Heydarieh, Meh Valat and Zaveh in the Islamic Council; The global registration of silkworm breeding and sericulture has increased the attention of the world to Iran, and this is a good and historic opportunity for income generation and the prosperity of new jobs in the city of Baig as a hub for the production of this valuable product.

Mohsen Zanganeh believes: if the people of Baig, especially the youth, plan their virtual communication with those interested in the silk industry and tourists in all parts of the world; The opportunity to attract tourists and facilitate the economic and trade relations of silk weavers with all parts of the world is provided.

The Vice Chairman of the Program and Budget Committee of the Shura Council expressed; Fortunately, the attention of the officials of various institutions, especially in the government, to the handicraft industry of Noghan eggs and silk weaving has increased more than before.

Also, the head of Torbat Heydarieh Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department said: Until now, the silk producers of this city mainly sold their products raw, which earned them little profit, but with the changes made, new handicraft workshops can be created and processed. The product helped to increase the per capita income and create sustainable employment, which we are with Bayg artists regarding the implementation of this important.

In a conversation with IRNA, Ali Mohammadi added: “We are trying to help product processing by creating new handicraft workshops, because we believe that Baig artists can prevent the sale of raw materials by producing silk fabrics, ribbon weaving, scarf weaving, combining silk and agate, and similar arts.” and get the added value of the work for themselves.

He said: In a short period of time, we put 350 Baig silk weaving workshops under the support of the Department of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism, and this process will continue with the support of the relevant ministry and the General Administration of Razavi Khorasan Province.

The head of Torbat Heydarieh Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department added: Payment of low-interest and long-term facilities is one of the other measures taken by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism to support Keshan Baig silk, and it is expected that there will be an acceptable growth in silk processing. be a witness

In this regard, Baig Torbat Heydarieh district governor told IRNA: The abundance of silk weaving workshops and skilled manpower in this sector has led to high-quality production, the like of which is rare in the West Asian region.

Hamid Eidi added: The world registration of silkworm breeding and silk thread production, which Torbat Heydarieh and especially the Bayg Qutb section of it, has created a unique opportunity for this industry to come out of stagnation, and this potential capacity can be turned into action with a series of measures. .

He added: The creation of temporary and permanent exhibition markets is one of these measures that can provide a special transformation in the silk industry and, accordingly, the operators of this area.

Reminiscing about other relative advantages of this region, Baig mayor said: due to the beautiful nature and summer of Baig, the benefit of “Rood Moajn” waterfall and “Halva Jozi” food, which is registered nationally; The creation of Baig tourism village is another possibility for the economic prosperity and the silk market of the region and essentially the synergy of the production opportunities of the region.

A sericulture expert also told IRNA reporter: Although the global registration of silk in UNESCO has created a new opportunity for the growth and development of this industry, we can be sure of this development when the actions of all relevant authorities and institutions move in the same direction. and be on the same side.

Hossein Rezaei added: “Unfortunately, the one-sidedness and partisanship of some officials has made the work difficult, especially since the silk industry has many custodian institutions such as industry, mining and trade; Jihad and agriculture; Customs and veterinary medicine are faced with it, in addition to the fact that other economic institutions such as economy and finance are decision-makers in this work.

The chairman of the board of directors of Baig Keshan Rural Silk Production Cooperative, Torbat Heydarieh, added: The global registration of silk and the celebration in Baig with the presence of national and provincial officials increased the sparks of hope among the producers, and we hope that this period and the empathy of the officials will create decisions. and new approvals with the aim of streamlining and facilitating the laws.

According to Rezaei; Currently, there are about 400 silk production workshops in Baig, and with the recent developments, there is hope for their increase.

He stated that it is necessary to exempt the artists of this field from paying value added tax in order to grow the industry of silkworm breeding and sericulture; He said: It is also expected that the trade system will be more stable and the administrative and customs regulations will be easy and smooth.

It should be mentioned that each silk workshop with two workers produces approximately seven kilos of cocoons into thread per day, and the average production of silk thread in each workshop is three kilos.

According to IRNA; Cultivation of silkworm and its processing into silk and fabric or carpet includes a set of traditional knowledge methods, skills and crafts related to planting and growing mulberry trees, silkworm cultivation and production of silk threads for weaving and other related industries.

Having or maintaining mulberry trees in an optimal condition (supplying enough light, soil nutrients, ventilation, humidity) according to the climatic conditions of each region is the basis for the quantitative and qualitative production of leaves and consequently the production of high-quality cocoons.

The silkworm feeds on the leaves of the mulberry tree, then silkworm eggs are produced, and in the next stage, the silkworms need to be cared for until the completion of the cocoon (transformation of adult silkworms into cocoons) and in the next stage, the beneficiaries spin threads. Silk cocoons produce silk thread.

Along with Gilan and Mazandaran provinces, Torbat Heydarieh is the main producer of silkworm breeding in Iran, but in the field of silk, thanks to the claws of Baig artists, it is the main pole of the country.

The distinguishing feature of Baig silk from other similar productions of Iran’s neighboring countries is its high quality, which many experts say is unmatched in the world.