Representing the concerns of handicraft artists
Perhaps the week of handicrafts is one of the most important opportunities to remember artists and craftsmen who work with love throughout our country and in all cities and villages, but not only are they not seen as they should be, but sometimes they have minimal rights and protections. are not.
The handicrafts of art and industry, which have their roots in history, have flourished in these Corona days, as in many other fields. However, according to many experts in this field, the sluggishness of the market for the supply and sale of handicrafts and traditional arts dates back to before the advent of Corona, and developments in recent months have made the market more stable.
Akbar Mardali, an activist in the field of handicrafts in the field of glass cutting in Qazvin province, says: Two years ago, I won the first place in sales, but after that, following the increase in sanctions, the price of raw materials increased and so did the prices of products. It went up, which naturally led to a decrease in the number of customers.
Officials can find a way to make raw materials available to producers at a lower price so that prices can be the same as before, or they can buy the raw materials themselves and provide them to producers, artisans and artists, he said. The increase in the price of handicraft products is so great that there are not many buyers, and we, as producers, cannot reduce the price of works; Because we also buy raw materials at a high price. For example, products that were sold two years ago for 150,000 Tomans, today the same product is sold for 1,200,000 Tomans.
Zahra Rigi, an artist in the field of needlework in Sistan and Baluchestan province, also says: We have a hard time selling at the moment. There is no advertising and little support for artisans. Exhibitions that are held at all costs are the responsibility of the artist. In the past, exhibition booths were provided to artists for free, but now the cost of transportation, accommodation and even the booth is borne by the artist. It’s okay if we have good sales at fairs, but we don’t have very good sales because we don’t advertise well.
Asked how much the increase in prices has contributed to the decline in sales of handicrafts, he said: Not only handicrafts but everything has become more expensive, and naturally, in order for artists to be able to make a living, they have to raise prices.
Hamidreza Fallahi, a textile artist in the textile industry in Yazd province, also points out: In the days of Corona, the field of handicrafts has suffered the most; Because there is no more tourism that wants to get handicrafts. There were better conditions before Corona. It is true that there were no foreign tourists, but this culture was created among domestic tourists to turn to handicrafts and domestic products.
He says about the loans promised to the damaged artists and craftsmen in the field of handicrafts: so far they have not given us a single rial and not only me but also no other activist in Yazd province has been given a loan. All they do is get statistics and then there is no news. In fact, everything is just statistics and in practice there is no news.
Shahriar Minagar, an activist in the field of handicrafts in the field of bankruptcy in Lorestan province, also reminds in this regard: Lack of raw materials is one of the most important concerns of activists in the field of handicrafts, while officials in this field only chant slogans and speak. Exhibitions that are held are either not a good time or are not held in the right places, and the money and cost of attending these exhibitions is the responsibility of the craftsmen and artists themselves.
It’s true that the price of raw materials imported from abroad varies due to sanctions and currency fluctuations, but why should the raw materials produced in Iran be accompanied by an increase in daily prices?
A lot of artists aren’t in a good position right now, Minager said. Is this fairness and justice? Every remaining art has been for the love and affection of their artists.