In a groundbreaking initiative, nomads from various Iranian provinces have come together to launch a national festival celebrating their rich cultural heritage and tourism allure. The five-day event is unfolding in the vibrant city of Shiraz, near the iconic Hafez mausoleum. Notably, this marks the first-ever national nomadic festival in this southern Iranian city.
The festival aims to not only showcase the diverse traditions of nomadic tribes but also to inspire domestic tourists to explore the unique experiences offered by these communities. Highlights of the event include traditional music, folk dance performances, engaging workshops, and cultural and culinary exhibitions presented by tribespeople from Fars, Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh-Boyerahmad, Kerman, and Khuzestan provinces.
Beyond its tourism significance, the festival serves as a platform to strengthen cultural bonds among Iranian nomads. Earlier this year, the tourism director of Lorestan province emphasized the importance of reinforcing cultural ties among these ancient tribes. Festivals, conferences, seminars, and familiarization tours are recognized as opportunities to bring diverse ethnic groups closer, fostering unity in the rich tapestry of Iran’s cultural heritage.
Iranian nomads, predominantly residing in provinces like Fars, Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari, Khuzestan, and Isfahan, follow a migratory lifestyle, transitioning between winter and summer quarters. Tourists are encouraged to visit these nomadic tribes, experiencing their unique lifestyles, cultures, customs, foods, and musical performances, particularly during the optimal seasons of spring and summer.
As the festival unfolds, it aligns with the broader global celebration of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, observed annually on May 21. This day underscores the importance of intercultural dialogue in achieving peace, sustainable development, and global coexistence, echoing the sentiments embedded in UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity adopted in 2001.
