Artizana Syria Hand Made… a heritage craft project

Syrians  are still capable of playing  an important and influential role in preserving Syrian deep-rooted traditional handicrafts , but they need to be given opportunities to unleash their potentials. Many are working to ensure that their culture and traditions live on despite years of war that have scattered Syrians around the world.  

Despite the many difficulties that handicraft owners are facing  in selling their products and the reluctance of many young people to learn traditional trades in recent times,  Artizana project continues to collect traditional crafts engraved with Syrian fingertips in order to preserve them as a cultural heritage in an attractive, modern way that conveys Syrian creativity to the world…  

The founder of Artizana  project  Hala Kanaya  said in a statement to SANA  “Artizana project, which depends on operating small craft workshops to manufacture distinctive products that carry the national heritage and attract  local and foreign buyers,   also includes all kinds of handicraft, copper, textiles and others,  with the aim of supporting the craft industries and protecting them from extinction as a local economic value and products present in the global markets”. 

The project also includes, according to Kanaya , design and manufacture of distinctive oriental and handcrafted presents  such as wooden boxes inlaid with seashell or mosaic, brocade cloth , ceramics and pottery, as well as the art of engraving and drawing on wood, making handmade glass products and drawing on them, copper engravings and Qaishani  products.

On the other hand, the project has provided many job opportunities for craftsmen and talented people who stopped working during the years of the war on Syria, especially women and people with special needs who are able to work and produce from their homes, where the Artizana project’s ‘s staff communicate with  them to take their products and make some amendments  to them and sell them or present them as gifts on occasions. 

The Artizana Founder underlined that The project does not stop at just  providing support and follow-up to the craftsmen, but rather seeks   to create a market for selling products through an electronic platform that is considered a link between the craftsmen and the target markets to reach the widest possible segment of those interested in Syrian heritage. 

She pointed to   the keenness to have Artizana products in all hotels and places visited  by foreigners through sales centers  and  introducing  the great  value of the Syrian heritage products.   

Kanaya stressed that thanks to the great efforts, follow-up and organization among the craft workshops included in the project, it was able to get  many local and international prizes  , the most important of which is the award of the (Suraj Kund Mela) exhibition in India for the idea and objectives of the Syrian Artizana  project.  

 She  underlined that she  aspires to launch the largest fund that includes various Syrian crafts to be registered in the Guinness Book of Records. 

On her part , Rahaf Mutlaq, 45 years old, found in the Artisana project a way to realize her dream,  an opportunity to develop her talent and provide a financial return for her and her family by making the rose from velvet and satin.   

It is noteworthy that the Artizana project was established in 2010 to highlight the handicrafts that represent an important aspect of the Syrian economy and heritage.  

Rawaa Ghanam