Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA- An exhibition for graduates of 1st course exhibition for traditional oriental handicrafts and products opened in the historical Khan Asaad Bacha in Damascus Old City on Saturday.
A number of distinguished and skillful craftsmen participate also in the exhibition, which was organized by the Artisan Association for Oriental Handicrafts, in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry.
The exhibition features traditional heritage and craft products, including oriental handmade thread, handmade carpet, woodwork, copper work, mosaics, textiles, oriental wooden musical instruments, other and traditional crafts.
Industry Minister Zaid Sabbagh said that holding this exhibition for the graduates of the traditional oriental handicrafts and products course expresses the Ministry’s continued support for the heritage crafts, noting that the ministry seeks to preserve and protect the traditional heritage as it represents the national identity and history of Syria.
60 trainees were graduated from the 1st course for traditional oriental handicrafts, while the second course will be kicked off soon.
Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of “Watan Document Foundation” Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban stressed importance of the exhibition as it constitutes the identity, heritage and history of Syria.
“We in the Watan Foundation write the history and document those crafts and others due to our keenness on belonging and identity and because our enemy is trying to counterfeit our identity and record it in his name,” Dr. Shaaban added.
Chairman of the Federation of Damascus Crafts Associations, Naji Al Hadua, said that holding this exhibition for the graduates of the heritage crafts came in implementation of the Federation’s policy and tasks to train and develop the potentials of the craftsmen and to qualify the trained cadres in order to maintain the material heritage and the traditional crafts from extinction.
Hala Zain
