Rabat – Morocco has officially launched the “Moroccan Heritage” label aimed at promoting the nation’s cultural heritage.
During the launching ceremony on Monday, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mehdi Bensaid signed a ministerial decree to recognise the “Moroccan Heritage” label.
The project aims to protect Morocco’s tangible and intangible heritage from appropriation and transform it into a commercial product.
The signing took place within the framework of the “Heritage Month” celebration that began on Monday and will end on May 18. Several cultural activities are scheduled to take place during the one-month long celebration across Morocco’s regions.
The celebrations, which intend to highlight the cultural heritage of each region, are in line with the UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Cultural Ministry launched several anthropological studies last year, unveiling the inventory of the country’s cultural heritage, including craftsmanship, gastronomy, and immaterial heritage.
In his speech, Minister Bensaid said, “Heritage Month is an opportunity to revive the tourism economy by promoting the country’s rich cultural elements through an open program, allowing all Moroccans to explore their heritage, and transform archaeological sites into spaces for exchange and dialogue.”
In this year’s program, the Minister reported that over 86 guided tours of monuments and historical sites, 18 workshops for students, 11 artistic animations, 29 video sequences, as well as in-person and virtual conferences are planned to shed light on the national heritage.
In addition to the “Moroccan Heritage” label, the Cultural Ministry is also working on other projects aimed at digitizing historical sites, which will allow users to do a 3D virtual tour of these sites.
Bensaid highlighted the Franco-Moroccan cooperation as well as with other international partners who are participating in the safeguarding of Morocco’s heritage.
During the ceremony, French and Moroccan archaeologists reviewed archaeological sites in the process of rehabilitation as well as the ones that have been recently discovered using the latest techniques in excavation and restoration.
Also attending the cultural event were, the Minister Delegate for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform Ghita Mezzour, the Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) Salim Mohammed Al Malik, as well as other Moroccan officials and foreign diplomats accredited to Morocco.
In March, Morocco was elected to chair the 17th session of the heritage committee at the UNESCO, which will be held from November 28 to December 3.
UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) features five broad domains in which ICH is manifested: oral traditions and expressions; performing arts; social practices, rituals and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship.
