Developing traditional crafts

Minister of Culture Inas Abdel Dayem on Monday awarded certificates of honour to graduates of the first batch of the Artisans of Egypt initiative, organised by the Cultural Development Fund Sector of the Traditional Crafts Centre in Fustat.

Launched in 2019, the initiative accepts those wishing to be trained in traditional crafts from the age of 18 to 45 years and works to equip them with the necessary qualifications to obtain job opportunities and establish a new production base for small and micro projects

Abdel Dayem said that the initiative’s first batch fulfilled its goals to create a new generation of innovators in the field of traditional crafts.

She pointed out that traditional crafts are one of the elements of cultural heritage.  “Egyptian society has various types of handicrafts inherited by the generations expressing beauty, accuracy and proficiency and they are also a sign of local creativity. Preserving these crafts is therefore, essential to maintain Egyptian identity,” the minister said.

She further highlighted the importance of continuing to implement the next stages of the initiative, which aims to revive and develop traditional crafts, emphasising that it comes in line with the state’s strategy to create new fields of work and economic projects that contribute to the development of the national income.

The initiative’s training program includes a theoretical part on design, Arabic calligraphy, plant motifs and ways to apply them. This part is moderated by a group of professors from the faculties of art.

That is in addition to the entrepreneurship and marketing lectures, which are conducted in cooperation with the Medium, Small and Micro Enterprise Development Agency (MEMEDA), affiliated to the Egyptian cabinet.

As for the practical module, it is held under the supervision of a group of skilled craftsmen at the Centre for Traditional Crafts in Fustat.

Graduates of the initiative will have an opportunity to market their hand-made products in the third Our Heritage exhibition for traditional crafts, sponsored by President Abdel Fattah el Sisi. It is due to be held next month.