Rabat launches the 3rd edition of “Treasures of Moroccan Crafts”: A national and UN program to preserve identity and artisanal innovation

DISCOVER MOROCCO

The third edition of the “Treasures of Moroccan Crafts” program was launched yesterday, Tuesday in Rabat, It is a joint initiative between the Secretariat of State in charge of Crafts, Social and Solidarity Economy, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

This edition, organized under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, has the slogan « From the heritage of the ancestors to the creativity of the descendants: young people preserving the Moroccan identity », The objective is to pursue the national efforts to safeguard traditional trades threatened with extinction, by transmitting know-how and artisanal knowledge to new generations, through the training of young people with master craftsmen, thus consolidating the values of mastery, creativity and authentic Moroccan identity

In his speech, Mr. André Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty, underlined that artisans Moroccans embody, each in their own way, the essence of Moroccan civilization, and that the true wealth of the Kingdom lies in their contribution to the common heritage, identity and history of Morocco. He noted that « few countries can today testify, through their contemporary reality, to the continuity of what their ancestors made since distant times, as is the case in Morocco. » Mr. Azoulay also addressed technological developments, believing that artisans will excel in using artificial intelligence and digital tools to enrich their art rather than changing its essence, and welcomed the historic partnership with UNESCO, made concrete by the agreement to extend the program.

For his part, Mr. Lahcen Saadi, Secretary of State for Crafts, highlighted the economic and social importance of the sector, which offers employment opportunities to nearly 2.7 million artisans across the Kingdom, emphasizing the central role of the program in the preservation of cultural heritage and national identity. Mr. Charaf Ahmimed, Director of the UNESCO Office for the Maghreb Countries, affirmed that the spirit of the agreement is based on the recognition of the pivotal role of communities holding traditional knowledge as guardians of living heritage, indicating that the approach adopted is based on the involvement of artisans and masters to determine safeguarding priorities and methods of transmitting skills in order to ensure their sustainability.

During the ceremony, an agreement extending the partnership between the Secretariat of State and UNESCO concerning the “Treasures of Moroccan Crafts” program was signed, until 2031. The event was also marked by the tribute paid to an elite of master craftsmen who embody the depth and diversity of Moroccan heritage. It should be noted that the two previous editions (2023 and 2024) of the program resulted in the classification of 17 artisans in the list of “Treasures of Moroccan Crafts”, who trained 157 young people during nine months of practical training.