News

Mare Nostrum project organises market to promote handicrafts in Phoenician port-cities

03-02-2012

 A second edition of the Melkart Market for Craftsmen and Handicraft products was organised in the Lebanese city of Tyre in the framework of the cross Mediterranean initiative to promote and support quality handicraft, launched by the Mare Nostrum project, funded under the Euromed Heritage IV programme.

 
Several craftsmen not only from Lebanon but also from Tunisia and Malta attended the event held from 25 to 27 January. “We have planned Melkart Markets in the city-ports partners of Mare Nostrum and we are looking forward to making them a lasting event, to be repeated every year,” explained Giorgio Risicaris, Mare Nostrum project manager, in an interview published on the Euromed Heritage IV website.
 
“The first Melkart Market was held in September 2011 in Sidi Bou Said – Carthage in Tunisia… Eleven craftsmen participated, covering several sectors, from silver to glass, bijouterie, carpets, fused glass, furniture, ceramics…” said Giorgio Risicaris.
 
The project manager goes on to explain the objectives of Mare Nostrum, saying “the project is tackling a large set of actions aiming to raise awareness and to define appropriate tools for conservation and promotion of heritage values in port-cities along the Phoenician Routes. The challenge is to use existing know-how to serve local economy and citizens. Tourism is one of the working areas of the project, but also schools, Universities, decision makers, craftsmen, fishermen, scholars, cultural operators and NGOs are targeted and involved in the project. In synergy with all these actors, Mare Nostrum is elaborating tools and actions based on quality, slow rhythms, participation, human contact, creativity.”
 
MARE NOSTRUM aims at providing a sustainable mechanism for the protection and management of cultural heritage resources in the targeted countries, leading to an awareness of cultural heritage in the public conscience. In order to enhance cultural heritage as part of the sustainable development of Mediterranean cultural heritage, the action will adopt a holistic approach which satisfies economic and social objectives as well as high quality cultural tourism needs.
 
EuroMed Heritage IV is a €17 million EU-funded programme which contributes to the exchange of experiences on cultural heritage, creates networks and promotes cooperation with the Mediterranean Partner Countries. (ENPI Info Centre)
 
Read more
 
Interview
 
MARE NOSTRUM - website
 
Euromed Heritage IV - MARE NOSTRUM
 
Euromed Heritage IV – fiche and news
 
Euromed Heritage IV – website
 
 

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