Cairo: Moroccan crafts draw visitors at Torathna 2026 handicrafts fair

The Moroccan pavilion has become one of the main attractions at the eighth edition of Torathna 2026, a handicrafts and heritage products fair held at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo, where the Kingdom is guest of honour until October 24.

Copperware, carpets, thuya wood pieces and traditional clothing are on display, alongside crafts made from natural and plant-based materials drawing on the Arab and Amazigh strands of Moroccan heritage. A fashion show at the pavilion presented a collection of caftans, putting the embroidery and design skills behind the Moroccan caftan on full view.

This year’s fair runs under the slogan “The Origin of the Story”. It is organised for the eighth consecutive year by Egypt’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency, bringing together more than 1,000 exhibitors from across Egypt along with pavilions from foreign countries.

Abdelhalq Arkhawy, president of the Chamber of Traditional Crafts of the Souss-Massa region, told MAP that the event offers a chance to showcase the region’s crafts and local products, led by honey and argan products. Developing the sector, he said, requires stronger support for artisans and cooperatives and encouragement of design innovation, while preserving the authenticity of products. He described the fair as a space for exchanging expertise and exploring partnerships with other countries.

Najia Bousta, an Agadir artisan who makes products and accessories from plant fibres, said her work combines natural raw materials with contemporary design suited to both modern and traditional interiors. She stressed the need to support women’s crafts, saying wider market access for women artisans helps provide stable income and economic independence.