HIBAPRESS
Within the framework of strengthening the Moroccan presence on the Mediterranean cultural scene and consolidating cooperation relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Hellenic Republic, the Secretary of State in charge of Traditional Industry, Social and Solidarity Economy, Lahcen Essaidi, held a series of high-level bilateral meetings in Athens, accompanied by André Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, and President of the Three Cultures Foundation of the Mediterranean, and in the presence of the Presidents of the Chambers of Traditional Industry of the regions of Marrakech-Safi, Casablanca-Settat and Souss-Massa.
In this context, Essaidi held a bilateral meeting with the Greek Minister of Culture and Sports, Lina Mendoni, which focused on ways to enhance cultural cooperation and deepen the common civilizational dimension between the two countries, especially in areas related to the transfer of heritage crafts, the training of young artisans, and the documentation of crafts threatened with extinction, in addition to developing joint programs in Mediterranean heritage, cultural industries, and sustainable cultural tourism.
Essaidi stressed, during this meeting, that the Moroccan traditional industry embodies the depth and diversity of the Moroccan civilizational model, and constitutes a strategic lever to enhance social cohesion, territorial development, and the Kingdom's international influence. He also highlighted the symbolic place held by the city of Essaouira as a space for coexistence and dialogue of cultures, noting that the UNESCO Category II center project dedicated to African craft knowledge can constitute a Mediterranean and African platform for preserving living heritage, transferring rare crafts, and scientific research, expressing Morocco's pride in the opening of this initiative to Greek partners. Essaidi also held a meeting with the Greek Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Sophia Zacharaki, which was devoted to discussing the prospects for joint cooperation in the field of integrating traditional industry and intangible heritage within the school environment, through the development of appropriate pedagogical content, organizing applied workshops supervised by skilled craftsmen, in addition to programming field visits to craft production spaces, cooperatives, and vocational training institutions. This meeting was an opportunity to exchange experiences on mechanisms for guiding young people towards crafts and heritage professions, and ways to involve traditional craftsmen in educational and training activities, in a way that contributes to consolidating the values of identity and belonging and preserving intangible heritage among the younger generations. Essaidi also praised the initiatives launched by Greece to protect minors from excessive use of smartphones and social media platforms, stressing the Kingdom of Morocco's interest in benefiting from this organizational experience within the framework of a balanced approach that takes into account digital transformations and the educational and social challenges associated with them. These meetings reflect the new dynamic witnessed by Moroccan-Greek relations, based on cultural dialogue, institutional cooperation, and the valorization of common heritage, and also confirm the Kingdom of Morocco's keenness, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, to enhance cultural diplomacy and openness to the Mediterranean space as an area of cooperation, civilizational convergence, and joint development.
