Morocco, UNESCO Promote Knowledge Transfer in Handicrafts Industry

Rabat – In a bid to safeguard national craft heritage, Morocco signed on Monday an agreement with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote knowledge transfer in the handicraft industry.

With some Moroccan handicraft knowledge on the verge of disappearing, the agreement aims to grant master craftsmen the title of Living Human Treasures, encouraging them to share their knowledge and skills with the young generation.

According to Morocco’s Minister of Tourism, Handicraft, and Social and Solidarity Economy Fatim-Zahra Ammor, the ministry of handicrafts would identify master craftsmen and enable them to provide training to younger generations to address concerns of loss of know-how.

Echoing the minister’s statement, Director of the UNESCO Office for the Maghreb Eric Falt highlighted the role of the agreement in preserving Morocco’s intangible heritage, reiterating the UN’s commitment to supporting Moroccan initiatives in the field.

The signing of the partnership agreement took place in Rabat on the sidelines of the 17th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Earlier today, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI announced the establishment of a national center dedicated to intangible cultural heritage. The institution is set to identify, record, and preserve national heritage sites as well as oral traditions and customs.

The announcement reflects Rabat’s commitment to celebrating and protecting national cultural heritage amid repetitive foreign attempts to claim Moroccan cultural elements.

The government’s efforts in the field led to the registration of 11 world heritage sites and elements by UNESCO including the traditional equestrian performance, Tbourida.

Government-led and citizen-led initiatives to promote Moroccan culture abroad have helped Morocco increase the volume of its exports of handicrafts over the years, marking 21% year-on-year in the first seven months of 2022.