TEHRAN -- In the cold foothills of northeastern Iran, a traditional craft is offering a lesson in how cultural heritage can become an economic asset. 
In Abarsij, a village near Shahrud in Semnan province, generations of artisans have transformed sheep’s wool into felt, preserving a practice whose future now depends on connecting inherited skills with modern markets.
The village is reported to account for more than 60 percent of Iran’s felt production, with approximately 30 active workshops sustaining its reputation as a national center for namad, the Persian term for felt. 
The fifth Abarsij Felt Festival brought renewed attention to this craft, highlighting its potential to support local employment, attract visitors and strengthen the region’s cultural identity.
Unlike woven textiles, felt is made by matting animal fibers together through moisture, heat and pressure. The technique requires no spinning or weaving, instead relying on the interlocking of wool fibers to create a dense, durable material. 
As Encyclopaedia Iranica documents, felt has long served practical purposes across the Iranian world, from floor coverings and clothing to shepherds’ cloaks and other household necessities.
That versatility remains central to the craft’s appeal. Felt can be shaped into rugs, slippers, hats and decorative objects, while its insulating properties offer applications beyond traditional handicrafts. Its tactile qualities and natural appearance also give contemporary designers opportunities to reinterpret the material for changing lifestyles and consumer tastes.
According to Samaneh Soltanipour, deputy director for handicrafts and traditional arts at the Semnan provincial office of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Abarsij’s established workshops and centuries-old tradition give it an important place in the country’s handicraft sector.
Artisans have been exhibiting their work across Iran and experimenting with new designs, including embroidered felt products that respond to contemporary demand. Such innovation can help move the craft beyond a narrow market for traditional household goods, opening opportunities in accessories, interior decoration and distinctive locally made gifts.
The challenge is to turn these creative possibilities into sustained commercial demand. Product development, professional marketing, improved presentation and stronger distribution networks can help artisans reach customers beyond their immediate region. Participation in national exhibitions has already introduced Abarsij’s products to buyers in different parts of the country, according to local cultural heritage officials.
The fifth festival also served as a
 showcase for handicrafts from Shahrud and neighboring areas, alongside local products and regional souvenirs. By bringing makers and potential customers together, such events can help connect cultural tourism with the everyday economy of rural communities.
Authorities are pursuing national recognition for Abarsij as a handicraft village specializing in felt-making. The designation would strengthen the profile of a place whose identity is closely tied to its artisans and their accumulated knowledge.
Plans to support the sector include a workshop in the industrial estate at the village entrance, training in marketing and product design, and access to financing for eligible craftspeople. Officials say loans may be available through home-based employment programs and other support institutions, subject to applicable conditions.
Tourism offers another avenue for growth. Abarsij has a historic, terraced village landscape and waterfalls in its surrounding countryside, creating an opportunity to combine craft demonstrations and shopping with nature-based visits. 
An ecotourism accommodation facility is also nearing the final stages of licensing, according to Shahrud’s cultural heritage office.
The wider cultural significance of felt-making is also recognized internationally. UNESCO lists traditional felt-making among the multinational nominations under consideration for its 2026 Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, involving Iran and seven other countries.