The 3rd edition of the Treasures of Traditional Moroccan Arts program was launched on Tuesday in Rabat during a ceremony held by the Secretariat of State for Crafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Themed “From the heritage of ancestors to the creativity of descendants: a youth that safeguards Moroccan identity,” this edition, placed under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, is part of ongoing efforts to safeguard and promote endangered crafts, and to ensure their transmission to future generations through training provided to youth by master craftsmen who are the guardians of this intangible cultural heritage, in a spirit of excellence, creativity, and authenticity.
Speaking on this occasion, His Majesty the King’s Advisor André Azoulay emphasized that Moroccan artisans embody, each in their own way, the very essence of Moroccan civilization, calling them a “true fortune” through their contribution to Morocco’s shared heritage, identity, and history, thus giving the Kingdom a deeply-rooted memory over centuries.
Highlighting the international influence of Moroccan craftsmanship, Azoulay noted that the Kingdom’s artisans are “an inspiring and outstanding testament to Morocco’s expertise.”
Azoulay also praised the historic partnership between Morocco and UNESCO, noting that the cooperation agreement on the “Treasures of Traditional Moroccan Arts” program, signed between the Secretary of State and the UN agency, illustrates the strength of this partnership.
For his part, Secretary of State for Crafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy Lahcen Essaadi said that the craft sector is among the main sources of employment in the Kingdom, offering opportunities to some 2.7 million craftspeople across the country’s various regions.
In turn, Charaf Ahmimed, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Maghreb, noted that the spirit of this agreement is based on recognition of the essential role of communities that hold and preserve traditional knowledge, explaining that the approach is based on the involvement of artisans, master trainers, and other stakeholders in defining priorities for safeguarding, methods for transmitting skills, and mechanisms for promoting the sustainability of this know-how.
During this meeting, an agreement was inked to expand the existing partnership between the State Secretariat for Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy and UNESCO concerning the “Treasures of Traditional Moroccan Arts” program until 2031.
In the two previous editions, held in 2023 and 2024, 17 master artisans were selected as “Treasures of Traditional Moroccan Arts,” who trained 157 young people over a period of nine months.
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