Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 3:52 p.m.
Taznakht (province of Ouarzazate) – The seventh edition of the Ouaouzguit Carpet Festival kicked off on Wednesday in the commune of Taznakht (province of Ouarzazate), with the participation of 150 exhibitors, 80% of whom were women weavers. .
The opening ceremony of this edition, under the theme “The Ouaouzguit carpet between tourism promotion and socio-economic empowerment of women weavers”, was enhanced by the presence of the Minister of Tourism, Crafts and Industry. ‘Social and solidarity economy, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, from the Secretary of State for Crafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, Lahcen Essaadi, from the director of the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Zones and the Argan Tree (ANDZOA), Latifa Yaakoubi, of the governor of the province of Ouarzazate, Abdellah Jahid, of the president of the Regional Council of Drâa-Tafilalet, Hro Abrou, of elected officials and representatives of professional bodies and civil society.
The opening ceremony of this economic and cultural event was marked by the organization of a colorful show showing the different stages of carpet manufacturing from the collection and washing of the wool, to the weaving.
Spread over an area of 3,000m2, the Salon includes a space dedicated to the exhibition and marketing of carpets, as well as an institutional space and a cultural center.
Organized by the Chamber of Crafts of the Drâa-Tafilalet region and the province of Ouarzazate, in partnership with the Municipal Council of Taznakht and the Ouarzazate Events association, this event intends to celebrate this authentic cultural heritage and highlight the role of women weavers in local economic development.
According to the organizers, this edition also aims to promote tourism of Ouaouzguite carpets through the organization of shows and activities highlighting the beauty and splendor of this masterpiece while presenting its history and cultural importance. and economical.
The festival also aims to promote the socio-economic empowerment of women weavers by providing them with a platform to present and market their products and by strengthening their capacities in the field of production and marketing of ouaouzguit carpets.
On the menu for this edition are workshops and seminars on the ouaouzguit carpet weaving industry with meetings aimed at the exchange of experiences between women weavers and the actors and institutions in charge of the sector.
This edition is organized with the support of the Maison de l’Artisanat, the Provincial Council of Ouarzazate and the National Agency for the Development of Oasis Zones and the Argan Tree (ANDZOA).
