This is the hundredth program of A House, A Land. On this occasion, we take a look at the role of the Iranian carpet industry in the country's environment; for decades, Iranians have been able to find selections of ethnic and ritual values along with the nature and ecosystem around them, simply by glancing at their feet, wherever they live in the country.
The carpet industry, or Iranian carpet, is intertwined with the environment of the country. Beyond drawing inspiration from motifs, designs, and decorations of Iranian carpets from nature, the warp and weft, foundation, color, wool, thread, and pile of Iranian carpets are linked to Iranian forests, pastures, native plants, minerals, and animals. These elements were once the fundamental bases of a wholly artistic product with remarkable color and clarity, which has held a distinct place in the best museums of the world for at least the past 300 years.
However, now that eyes are fixed on the growth of the country's economy and expectations are rising for a decrease in oil exports, in a situation where Iran has found competitors in China, Pakistan, and India in the field of handmade carpets during the sanctions, and now that the export of Iranian carpets will be easier and faster, how kind will the Iranian carpet weaving industry be to our environment?