Marivan the World City for Kalash

Marivan is the capital city of Marivan County in the Kurdistan province, Iran. It is near the border of Iraqi Kurdistan, and enjoys a long history of Kurdish presence. The people of Marivan speak Kurdish. In 2017, this city was registered on World Crafts Council (WCC) list as the World City for Kalash (Giveh). Kalash or Giveh is a special cotton shoe, soft, comfortable, durable and handwoven-top shoe made in Kurdistan Province, dating back to over 1000 years ago. This handmade footwear is made entirely of natural fabrics, with no industrial materials and pollutants. It is flexible, durable, and allows the feet to breath. Such shoes traditionally come in white color, but one can find them in red, blue, orange, and black as well. Over 4553 artisans are engaged in sewing Kalash Marivan, thus managing to register their abode as a World City for the art. This city has been turned into the most important tourism center in Kurdistan province. Some Marivan tourist attractions are Zarivar lake, Bashmaq border market, Uraman Takht, Garan Bridge and etc.