An exhibition of products of graduates of the first traditional handicrafts course in Khan Asaad Pasha al-Azem

Activities of the exhibition of the products of graduates of the first traditional handicrafts course and a number of distinguished craftsmen kicked off on  Saturday in Khan Asaad Pasha Al-Azem in Old Damascus. The exhibition was held by the Craft Association for Oriental Products in Damascus, in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry.

The exhibition includes heritage and oriental handicraft products, including Arabic thread, handmade carpets, stained and antiqued glass, brass, chandeliers, brocade, mosaics, and many other wooden handicrafts.

Minister of Industry Ziyad Sabbagh noted that  holding this exhibition for graduates of the traditional handicrafts course confirms the sponsorship and support of the Ministry of Industry for the traditional crafts that we are working to preserve and protect, as they represent the national identity and Syrian history.

Minister Sabbagh mentioned that 60 male and female students graduated from Syrian universities and institutes in this course, indicating that the second course will start after Eid al-Fitr to train and graduate trainees on traditional crafts in cooperation with the Craft Association for Oriental Products in Damascus and its trainers, who provide training for free.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Watan Document Foundation, Dr. Buthaina Shaaban, stressed the importance of this exhibition, which presents a group of products that constitute the identity, heritage and history of Syria. She highlighted the efforts made by the trainers who trained the students of this course for free over a period of three months and expressed their keenness to preserve these crafts so that they do not vanish and ensure their continuity for future generations.

Dr. Shaaban said: “We, at Watan Document Foundation, date and document such professions and others, out of concern for belonging and identity, because our enemy is trying to forge our identity and register it in his name.” She illustrated the integration between the craftsmen who create Syria’s identity and Watan Document Foundation which documents this identity for future generations.

President of the General Union of Craftsmen, Naji Al-Hadwa, considered that the establishment of this exhibition for graduates of traditional crafts comes as an implementation of the policy and tasks of the General Union of Craftsmen to train and develop the capabilities of craftsmen, and to qualify the trained cadres to preserve the material heritage and traditional crafts from extinction.

He pointed to the endeavor, through this exhibition, to market the products of the graduates and introduce them to visitors, in addition to what the federation is working on to market the products of artisans in foreign markets by various available means through  creating marketing outlets such as Syrian commercial houses in brotherly and friendly countries.

At the end of the opening, graduation certificates were distributed to a number of trainees.

The exhibition was opened by the Minister of Tourism, Muhammad Rami Martini, the Minister of Culture, Dr. Labana Mashouh, the Governor of Damascus, Muhammad Tariq Krishati, a number of ministerial assistants, central directors in the ministries of industry, tourism and culture, and members of the General Union of Craftsmen.

Inas Abdulkareem