Iran's Tabriz bazaar named by UNESCO
TEHRAN, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Grand Bazaar of Tabriz, a historic complex
located in Iran's northwestern province of East Azarbaijan was named as a World
Heritage site by the UNESCO World Heritage Center, the official IRNA news agency
reported on Sunday.
The decision was made in the 34th meeting of the World Heritage Committee which
is being held in Brasilia, Brazil, from July 25 to Aug. 3, head of the East
Azarbaijan's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization Torab
Mohammadi told IRNA on Sunday.
"This is the first time that the UN Educational, Scientific and , Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Center selects a' bazaar' as a valuable
cultural heritage," Mohammadi was quoted as saying.
Located in the center of the city, the Bazaar of Tabriz is one of the oldest
bazaars of the Middle East and the largest covered bazar in the world. This
spectacular structure consists of several sub-bazaars and has different economic
and cultural spaces.
Although numerous modern shops and malls have been established recently, the
Bazaar of Tabriz remains the economic heart of the city and northwestern Iran.
Bazaar in Iran is used for some of the important religious ceremonies too. The
most famous one is Day of Ashura while merchants cease the trade for about 10
days and religious ceremonies are held inside the Bazaar. Like other bazaars in
the Middle East, there are several mosques constructed behind the bazaar.
Source:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/culture/2010-08/01/c_13425134.htm