- Title: IRAN: The ancient tradition of glass making still flourishes in Iran
- Date: 28th July 2008
- Summary: ALI BAKHTIARI, MANAGER AND SUPERVISOR OF BAKHTIARI GLASS INDUSTRY, HOLDING GLASS INSIDE FURNACE CLOSE OF GLASS INSIDE FURNACE VARIOUS OF BAKHTIARI SHAPING MOLTEN GLASS CLOSE OF BAKHTIARI'S FACE WHILE WORKING ON GLASS PIECE PIECE OF GLASS INSIDE FURNACE BAKHTIARI REMOVING PIECE OF GLASS FROM FURNACE VARIOUS OF BAKHTIARI SHAPING PIECE OF GLASS INTO JUG/ ADDING DETAILS TO JUG
- Embargoed: 12th August 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: International Relations,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA2RZ1XAQFS98I9P7AA09LF6U2P
- Story Text: The Bakhtiari glass factory is among several glass manufacturing factories across Iran which help keep the traditional art of glass making alive in the country.
The ancient persian tradition of glassmaking continues to thrive in Iran.
There are large glassmaking factories located in the heart of the capital Tehran as well as elsewhere in the country, where manufacturers have modernized the production process with new machinery. But some smaller manufacturers continue to hand-make glass in small quantities according to traditional glass cutting, blowing and engraving techniques passed down over thousands of years.
The Bakhtiari Glass Factory located in southern Tehran manufactures glass products using traditional techniques. Owner and manager Ali Bakhtiari has been in the glassmaking business for 50 years, having started working in the industry when he was eight-years-old.
Bakhtiari started out as a low end labourer for 15 years before establishing his own business, which he has been running for 30 years.
His business employs some 70 workers.
"This job is artistic. It's good when there is creativity (in your job)," said Ali Mousaei, one of the senior workers at the factory.
Some experts believe glassmaking was invented in the northwest of modern day Iran, around the year 2200 B.C. The glass blowing method, where the glassblower blows into molten glass through a hollow tube, is thought to have developed around the 1st century B.C.
Bakhtiari's factory produces goods sold inside Iran and exported abroad.
"(Currently) 60 percent of our products are exported to Canada and European countries such as France, Germany, England and Belgium," Ali Bakhtiari said.
"Fortunately, 95 percent of raw materials needed for glasswork are available in Iran," Bakhtiari added.
The Bakhtiari Glass Factory specialises in household glassware and ornamental items. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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