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Rabat – As part of Morocco’s continuous efforts to preserve its cultural heritage amid Alegeria’s mounting cultural appropriation schemes, Culture Minister Mehdi Bensaid met on Tuesday in Geneva with Darren Tang, the Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
The meeting, held in the presence of a number of high-profile officials, addressed possible venues to protect Morocco’s cultural heritage.
Algeria’s obsessive co-opting of Moroccan heritage has reached new heights in recent months, with converging reports indicating that the regime is preparing a dossier to nominate “Algerian zellige” for inclusion in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The move is part of a broader Algeria-orchestrated campaign aiming to rewrite history and claim ownership over various aspects of Moroccan cultural heritage.
In light of the recent developments, the meeting between the two officials centered on initiatives aimed at protecting Moroccan cultural treasures, including the intricate art of zellige.
After the meeting, Tang expressed his support for Morocco’s legitimate right to the protection of its historical heritage. Intellectual property supports all aspects of life in Morocco, including zellijee, in both urban and rural areas, he told the press.
“The project we implemented in 2016 in Morocco regarding your famous zellije, in addition to the numerous projects we are currently implementing, will be based on a comprehensive approach to intellectual property,” he further explained.
The meeting concluded with plans to sign a joint memorandum of understanding in July, coinciding with the WIPO’s general assemblies.
Read Also: Moroccan Zellige: Algeria Escalates Cultural Appropriation of Morocco’s Heritage
Algeria’s attempts to appropriate Moroccan cultural and historical heritage have been a common sight in recent years. In 2022, Algeria was criticized for presenting the zelliges as its own cultural heritage during an exhibition.
But when faced with criticism and suggestions that the artifacts were historically Moroccan, the governor of the Algerian city of Oran dismissed and ridiculed the objectors, who he claimed did not know what they were talking about.
And he further sparked widespread controversy when he boldly asserted Algeria’s right to incorporate zellige patterns into various aspects of its cultural expression.
This cultural appropriation saga escalated further in October 2022, when international sportswear brand Adidas released a jersey for the Algerian national team, claiming inspiration from Moroccan architectural designs.
The incident prompted Moroccans to call on their government to take decisive action to protect Morocco’s heritage and traditions.
In response, the country’s Ministry of Culture took proactive steps by securing an official patent for Fez’s zellige through the World Intellectual Property Organization. The ministry emphasized the historical significance of zellige in Moroccan culture, tracing its origins back to the Marinid era of the 13th to 15th centuries.
Algeria’s appropriation efforts extend beyond zellige, however. In another recent controversial move, Algeria attempted to include the Moroccan caftan, a traditional garment, in its UNESCO submission, despite its clear association with Moroccan heritage.
With Algeria signaling such a sustained determination to usurp Morocco’s rich cultural and historical heritage, it remains to be seen whether Morocco’s recent action with WIPO will deter the revisionist Algerian regime from appropriating Morocco’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
