فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Fes is the epicenter of Morocco’s traditional craftsmanship, where ancient trades form an integral part of the city’s historical and cultural identity. Its bustling souks are filled with artisans who have preserved their skills across generations, from pottery and traditional zellige tilework to copperware and leather goods, which have become symbols of Morocco’s rich artisanal heritage. Despite its economic and social significance, the traditional crafts sector faces growing challenges that threaten its survival, necessitating urgent measures to ensure its sustainability and prosperity.
Traditional craftsmanship contributes 7% to Morocco’s GDP, making it a vital sector that supports thousands of families. Fes stands out as a leading hub for these crafts, generating an annual turnover of approximately 10.6 billion dirhams, representing 23% of all active enterprises in the sector nationwide. However, despite these impressive figures, many artisans in the city struggle with difficult social conditions, especially aging craftsmen who can no longer work and lack access to social security or retirement benefits, leaving them without financial stability after years of dedication to their trade.
In addition to social challenges, the sector faces the risk of extinction for certain traditional crafts due to young people’s reluctance to learn them. In response, Morocco has launched the largest apprenticeship program in the history of traditional craftsmanship, targeting 30,000 trainees to ensure the transfer of skills and expertise from veteran artisans to new generations. This initiative aims to revive endangered crafts and make the sector more appealing to young people by offering modern training programs that blend tradition with technological advancements, enabling traditional craftsmanship to adapt to evolving market demands.
Despite ongoing efforts, Fes’s traditional crafts sector still requires a more comprehensive strategy, including financial support for artisans, access to global markets, digital promotion of traditional products, and improved working conditions in workshops. Without concrete steps to develop this sector, Fes risks losing a crucial part of its identity that has shaped its legacy for centuries. Preserving traditional craftsmanship is not just an economic necessity but also a cultural and national responsibility to safeguard this unique heritage for future generations.
source : fesnews media
