Rabat, Morocco — Morocco has fused its National Handicrafts Week with the closing phase of the Africa Cup of Nations, installing artisan stalls inside official fan zones in the six host cities, according to regional officials.
The move, which runs until 18 January, places live demonstrations of metalwork, wood carving, textiles and jewellery alongside football screenings in Rabat, Tangier, Fez, Casablanca, Marrakech and Agadir.
The State Secretariat for Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, coordinating with the Dar Essanaa Foundation and Maison de l’Artisan, says the dual event is designed to spotlight Moroccan heritage before the estimated one million Cup visitors.
Over 300 cooperatives from Morocco and other competing nations are occupying booths that also sell football-themed plates, scarves and brass items, local sources report. Mehdi Kotbi, president of the National Foundation of Museums, told reporters that pairing culture with sport was deliberate.
“Morocco beats in the heart of Africa and Africa is beating in the heart of Morocco,” he said adding that the festivities offer “fraternity” at a time of intense regional news.
Government data released ahead of the fair estimate the handicraft sector generates annual revenue of fourteen billion dollars and employs 2. 3 million people, with the United States, France and Turkey listed as the main export markets.
Officials have not published interim sales figures since the tournament began on 21 December.
Senegalese painter Zulu Mbaye, whose canvases are on display in Rabat, welcomed the cross — border platform. “It’s high time for countries from the South to take care of themselves and initiate a South-South dialogue,” he.
The 9th National Handicrafts Week closes on the day of the AFCON final.
Further details on post — tournament artisan compensation or export deals are expected in a forthcoming ministry communiqué.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
