Morocco has registered, to date, 13 elements of its intangible cultural heritage with UNESCO, including the Melhoun, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mehdi Bensaid, recently told the country’s parliament.
The Moroccan caftan, emblem of Morocco’s traditional clothing heritage, should be officially registered as UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage by 2025.
This step comes as part of Morocco’s efforts to preserve and promote its cultural heritage in the face of
attempts at appropriation by other countries.
He also said that during the recent meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee held in Paraguay, Morocco succeeded in having an image of the Moroccan caftan used in another country’s file removed, marking a first in the history of the organisation.
The Moroccan official stressed the importance of actively defending Moroccan cultural heritage against any attempt at appropriation, calling for a collective transmission of this historical legacy to future generations.
He also highlighted initiatives such as the “Label Maroc,” a legal framework for the protection of heritage, and the ongoing dialogue with the World Intellectual Property Organisation to strengthen international cooperation. In addition, he recalled the kingdom’s commitment to promoting its heritage through programs such as Heritage
Month and cultural shows.
This is in accordance with the royal vision that establishes culture as a living memory and collective conscience of
peoples.
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