While many Iranian-American entrepreneurs have sought fortune in Silicon Valley, Ramdad (Dodd) Raissnia has turned to his roots. Five years ago he and his wife Melina began designing, manufacturing, and importing wool felt rugs from Iran.
I learned about their endeavor last Thursday during a presentation given by Dodd and his wife, Melina, at Design Within Reach in Berkeley. While attendees munched on treats like gaz(nougat) and baklava, the couple told the story of their adventure, which has taken them from some of the remotest places in Iran to the pages of the top home décor magazines in the U.S. Then Dodd showed a video he took of a master felt rug artisan, Haj Ali Halajian of Ramsar, Iran. (//www.peaceindustry.com/film.html)
Thanks to the Raissnia’s endeavor, the ancient Iranian art of felt rug making has a chance to survive. Prior to their involvement there were just a handful of artisans. Today the Raissnia’s business – which they named Peace Industry -- sustains 25 families working out of their newly purchased factory near Shiraz. Dodd says they spent their last pennies to buy the factory and yet they worry that their business could end abruptly if the political relationship between the U.S. and Iran deteriorates any further.
It was an inspiring evening to say the least.
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To Mr. Faribors Maleknasri
by Niloofar K. (not verified) on Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:54 AM PSTSir, I noticed that below many articles you write some stupid comments that while some of it is understandable but most of it is jiberish and totaly a result of a delinquent brain. Worse than that is that you always turn around and write a second stupid comment. The problem is that they are also too long.
Here is my advice and I mean that with respect.
Try to write no more than one short paragraph and stick to the same subject. If you want a shouldder to cry on then that is a different story.
Thanks
THE ART OF NAMAD BAFI
by Faribors Maleknasri M. D (not verified) on Tue Nov 20, 2007 08:46 AM PSTAmericans were the first strangers who stoll the maps and designs of iranian carpet and begann to weave carpets at home. the carpet weaving Art was put on the risk to be forgatten for ever in the late 70s. allready in the late 50s had the iranian fine Arts department begann with using pictures for example of Picasso as Design. It was a sad time to have see how systematically and purposely was tried to destroy what made out IRAN. Not only carüperts.thanks heaven nowadays iranians do not need to be admired by any one. Not even by "IRANIAN" where on one side nothing is sacred but on many other sides stand the even less sacred matter, which should by no means be explained.since I visit the site I have read many coments from visitors who have not agreed with this or that statement and I have allways mentioned: Remember in "IRANIAN" nothing is sacred so every body can write just what she/ he wants and thinks. But this is not the case. the fact is: Nothing is sacred, certain subjects are but even less sacred. Greeting
PAECE and TRADE
by Faribors Maleknasri M. D (not verified) on Tue Nov 20, 2007 08:32 AM PSTI think peace is the most valuable property the human being can poses. I have just watched the nice rugs from ramsar and I find they are just what americans need. Not so complicated design and more a tool for the daily life than a peace of Art weavings carpets. Also IRI could by a lot from americans in responce. But please acknowlledge the Following, though in "IRANIAN" nothing is sacred but certain things are less sacred, so that nobody should ever dare to mention them. In Iran, since the earliest time as the people could read and write there is the vow of chastity by Textswritings. In "IRANIAN" is that not the case. All the visitors know abaut this fact. regarding peace: What can IRI do for peace when the other side just seaks war? This fact is also known by a good number of nations from Indonesia to Andalusia and of course in India too. Please acknowledge the following:
India-Iran-IAEA Report
Lauding the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Iran's nuclear program, an Indian leader today asked the US government to correct its behaviour and stop making false propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
"The whole world saw that the US and its allies' allegations were false as Iran's nuclear program is transparent," said Shaoib Iqbal, Deputy Speaker, Delhi Legislative Assembly while talking to IRNA.
Since the IAEA report on Iran's nuclear program has endorsed Tehran's right to make use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, all sanctions imposed on Iran must be removed immediately, the Indian leader demands.
Criticizing the UN silence on the US and Zionist Regime's false propaganda, Shaoib said, "Certain countries are unfortunately attempting to derail the correct process of examining Iran's nuclear issue and make use of UNSC to impose their political will in order to deprive Iran of its legal and legitimate rights.
"The US attacked Iraq on a big lie. Now it is lying about Iran also. All peace loving countries should work for establishing peace and stability in the region," concludes Shoaib.
Under these circumstances achieving peace will be a very hard work and the first victims will be the GIs. Greeting
هنر نمد بافی
Jeesh DaramTue Nov 20, 2007 08:21 AM PST
بسیار فکر خوبی است، که این حرفه قدیم را با طرح های جدیدی ارائه میدهند. ناگفته نماند که بطور کلّی آمریکائیان قدردانی چندانی از هنر قالیبافی ایران نمیکنند.
Nice!
by Nazanin (not verified) on Tue Nov 20, 2007 07:58 AM PSTThanks for sharing this.