Local games festival to be held in Iran’s Gilan Province

Rasht, the capital city of Gilan Province in northern Iran is slated to host a festival of local games during Nowrouz holidays, Persian New Year starting from March 21.

The sidewalk of Shahrdari Square, Sabzeh Meydan Square, Qods Park and Mellat Park are the four locations in Rasht where the games festival is expected to be held.

Gile-Mardi wrestling (local type of wrestling in Gilan), tug of war and Lafand Bazi, a form of acrobatics, are among the traditional sports to be performed for tourists and local people during the program. 

The program is an attempt to help the visitors familiarize themselves with traditional sports and local games of the province.

Over 400 traditional sports are played in Gilan Province, four of which were inscribed on Iran’s National Heritage List and six more are expected to be registered nationally in the near future.

Traditional sports and local games are manifestations of local cultures and lifestyles.  

Dating back to hundreds of years ago, local games of Gilan are rooted in its rich culture, customs and geographical conditions.

MM/FM