
The Ministry of Culture and the General Federation of Craftsmen Sign a Memorandum of Understanding to Preserve Syrian Craft Heritage and Pass on Skills to Future Generations The Ministry of Culture of the Syrian Arab Republic signed a memorandum of understanding today with the General Federation of Craftsmen, aiming to strengthen cooperation and partnership in preserving traditional Syrian craft heritage, protecting craftsmen's skills, and passing them on to future generations. The memorandum was signed by Mr. Saad Naasan, Deputy Minister of Culture, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, and by Mr. Iyad Abdullah Najjar, President of the General Federation of Craftsmen. Both parties emphasized the importance of supporting traditional crafts, the necessity of developing craft skills, and ensuring the sustainability of this heritage for future generations. The memorandum includes organizing training programs to develop craft skills, supporting participation in local and international exhibitions of craft products, documenting craft heritage threatened with extinction according to scientific principles and traditional customs, and raising community awareness of the importance of craft heritage. It also stipulates the establishment of a joint coordination committee to oversee the implementation of activities and effectively monitor projects. The memorandum aims to preserve and protect traditional craft heritage from extinction, recognize experienced artisans as "living human treasures," encourage scientific research and studies related to traditional crafts, and establish specialized institutes and training centers to transfer skills to future generations, while also strengthening international cooperation and benefiting from global experiences in this field. The memorandum of understanding enters into force immediately for a three-year period, renewable, with the possibility of amending or adding activities according to needs and priorities, thus strengthening the partnership and ensuring the sustainability of Syrian craft heritage for future generations.