The Persian rug is approaching more and more Iranians and Americans, especially after the end of Barack Obama's mandate, they have two very hostile governments, but they are increasingly acclaimed for this art and for business pleasure. With the import of $ 196 million worth of carpets, the United States became the leading importer of the renowned Persian product in 2016, assured the director of the Iranian National Carpet Center, Hamid Kargar. Hamid Kargar explained that in the first 4 months, following March 20 (the beginning of the Persian year), the total export of Iranian carpets was 89 million dollars, showing an increase of 7% compared to the same period of the previous year; in it, the total sale was 360 million dollars, a good result which is however still modest compared to the 635 million dollars a year in the pre-sanctions period. Iran rugs were very strong in the United States until 2010, when international sanctions forced customers of Persian women's art masterpieces to settle for less valuable and even cheaper artifacts from countries like Pakistan, India, Turkey and China. . China, now, has resumed importing carpets. Since January 2016, from the famous implementation day, the day on which the nuclear agreement between Iran and the six powers (JCPOA) came into force, the carpets have returned to the States with the joy and euphoria of the sellers and of enthusiasts. The Iranian satellite network Press TV published images of the first loads of carpets that were opened in galleries and shops in American cities, with the owners even moved by joy. And on August 23 at the Tehran International Carpet Fair, the supreme temple of carpet art worldwide, also saw 14 US companies participate for the first time, reports the news agency Tasnim. In the US market, Persian carpets are loved and demanded, and they have a price ranging from 10 to $ 200 thousand. In short, the love for art and beauty seems to offer itself as a partial antidote to Trump's anti-Iranian policies. Also because, according to the latest data, exports of pistachio, saffron and Iranian caviar in the US are also growing sharply. On the other hand, Iran has also signed an agreement with Boeing for a historic aircraft purchase. In short, quality puts everything in second place and is showing more and more that the two peoples appreciate and respect each other. Iranians and Americans, among other things, have been close in sadness for the early death of the world mathematician genius, the Iranian-American Maryam Mirzakhani, who passed away at the age of 40 from breast cancer. To bring the two peoples closer together is tourism, with more and more American groups choosing to visit the archaeological beauties of ancient Persia. In any case, the hope of rapprochement between the two countries, which became very strong in the Obama period and then weakened with the advent of Trump, now lies in the hands of entrepreneurs, tourists and scientists, who have taken on the role of peace emissaries. Meanwhile, Iran hopes to regain its market share also in the carpet world (after oil), and according to Kargar, as always, it focuses on quality, design and colors. The carpet is also something vital for Tehran, as it is around one million people, the number of artists, especially women, who work in this craft sector in Iran, which boasts a 2500-year history. The art of the carpet is mostly a family art, and many women in the villages begin to learn for love; in fact they want to make with their own hands the carpet that they will bring as part of the dowry to their husband's house. Tabriz, Qom, Isfahan and Kerman are the four city locations with the most famous carpets, among 205 locations recognized and certified by the Iranian Organization for Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Crafts.
by Davood Abbasi