The exhibition of Iranian Antique Handicrafts was held at ECI Headquarters on Tuesday April 22, 2014 in the presence of Dr. Soltanifar, Vice-President and the Head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization, Iftikhar Husain Arif, President of the ECO Cultural Institurte, Jalil Golshan, Head of the Research Center of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Ambassadors and Diplomatic Delegations based in Tehran, and a group of cultural figures.
Referring to the position of the handicrafts in culture, Iftikhar Husain Arif, President of ECI said:" ECI Although in today world, the handicrafts are seemingly regarded as ornamental motif, yet its utilitarian value reflects the beliefs, traditions, morals, and life style, and in one word, it manifests the culture of a given nation in a given region."
He added: ECO Cultural Institute in line with its mission is prepared to arrange extensive array of fruitful programs and activities alike with the contribution of the relevant organizations in the Region.
Jalil Golshan, Head of the Research Center of Cultural Heritage and Tourism also stated that: " Today, the cultural background of countries is considered a reliable asset for them. This fact can be well observed amongst ECO countries. "
He continued: " I am very pleased that the Research Center of Cultural Heritage and Tourism can be effective in promoting cooperation among the ECO countries. Such cooperation makes friendships and deepen the ties among the countries in the region."
Later at the event, an MoU between ECO Cultural Institute and the Research Center of Cultural Heritage and Tourism was inked. Organization of exhibitions on culture, arts and craft in the ECO Member States; workshops and short term courses, particularly, in the maintenance of monuments, artifacts and manuscripts; Exchange of professors and students; collaborative research projects and publication of books are the areas of cooperation between the sides.