Salé: Official launch of the project to register “the art of zellige from Fez and Tetouan” on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list

Announced during a dedicated study day, this project reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving the traditional zellige art of Fez and Tetouan as an authentic cultural treasure, to highlight its value and ensure its transmission to future generations in a way that strengthens its presence and visibility nationally and internationally.

On this occasion, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, stressed that the official launch of this project marks an important step toward international recognition of an art that has adorned, for centuries, some of the most magnificent architectural masterpieces of the Kingdom and stands as a testament to Morocco’s contribution to universal human heritage.

This candidacy crowns a series of initiatives aimed at protecting this centuries-old heritage, through its inventory, documentation and legal protection of its knowledge and techniques via the “Heritage Label,” the Minister noted in a speech read on his behalf.

Far from being a simple decorative element, zellige represents an identity, a memory and a craft passed from master artisan to apprentice across generations, respecting traditional expertise and a perpetual pursuit of perfection and excellence, he added.

This art, combining architecture, calligraphy and aesthetic creation, reflects the high level of innovation and refinement that has characterized Moroccan craftsmanship throughout history. It is experiencing today, like other forms of traditional Moroccan knowledge, growing interest both within the Kingdom and abroad, consolidating its place at the heart of national cultural identity.

Recalling the strong presence of zellige in numerous historic monuments, the Minister underlined that it is a living heritage that continues to evolve thanks to the creativity of Moroccan artisans in several cities. He paid tribute to the tireless work of master artisans, craftsmen, training institutions and researchers who are working to preserve, safeguard and transmit this ancestral knowledge as part of Morocco’s intangible cultural heritage.

For his part, the Director of the Heritage Center in Tetouan, Othmane El Absi, noted that efforts to inscribe Moroccan zellige, particularly that of Tetouan, on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list have been ongoing for more than three decades. He recalled that the earliest manifestations of this art date back to the period before the Almoravids, with the first evidence discovered in Aghmat, their first capital.

Speaking about the distinctions between types of zellige, Mr. El Absi explained that Tetouan’s style draws on Moroccan Arab Andalusian influence, which explains the differences in form, color and patterns compared to other regions, with compositions not exceeding 27 structural families.

Meanwhile, Mouhcine El Idrissi El Omari, lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences (Hassan II University – Casablanca), stated that zellige is one of the most significant decorative architectural elements in Morocco’s history. He highlighted that some of the oldest examples belong to the Fez tradition, dating back to the 13th century.

Among the earliest models, he cited those visible on the minaret of the Seffarine Madrasa in Fez and on the Grand Mosque of Fez Jdid, noting that this ancestral decorative art has evolved over the centuries.

To mark the launch of the registration project for this ancestral expertise on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the exhibition “Moroccan Zellige: a historic heritage and a living legacy” was inaugurated, showcasing works created by Moroccan artisans.

The event highlights the evolution of this craft, from its earliest presence in Moroccan architecture to its contemporary artistic forms, standing as an example of authenticity and renewed creativity.

Editorial team/le7tv