41st National Innovation Fair in Craftsmanship: 19 Awards Given to Tunisian Artisans
The 41st edition of the National Innovation Fair in Craftsmanship, organized by the National Office of Craftsmanship (ONA), awarded 19 prizes to Tunisian artisans, highlighting the talent and creativity of a new generation of creators.
Innovation at the Heart of the Awards
This year, the focus was on innovation and the circular economy, a theme that is becoming increasingly crucial. Twelve awards were given to the winners of the innovation competition, with prizes ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 dinars. The artisans excelled in several areas:
- Textile
- Souvenir objects and gift items
- Products from the circular economy
- Competition dedicated to students
Farouk Ouahy, Young Promoter, Stands Out
The national prize for the best project in the "young promoters" category was awarded to Farouk Ouahy, a 37-year-old engineer from Gabès. His company, created in 2021, specializes in the production of wooden items combined with silver, resin, and leather. This first prize is worth 3,000 dinars. Two other prizes were also awarded in this category: one for a haute couture project (1,000 dinars) and another for hand embroidery (500 dinars).
Traditional Know-How Rewarded
The Hand Embroidery Olympics on leather also honored artisanal excellence. The top three winners received prizes worth 1,000 to 3,000 dinars, highlighting the importance of preserving and modernizing traditional techniques.
A Key Sector for the Tunisian Economy
The Minister of Tourism, Soufiane Tekaya, recalled the essential contribution of craftsmanship to the national economy, with export revenues of 150 million dinars the previous year. The Director General of the ONA, Leïla Maslati, emphasized the importance of these events in promoting the sector and encouraging young people to take an interest in it. This ceremony was also an opportunity to reward the media for their support and role in promoting craftsmanship, with prizes awarded to the Tunis Afrique Presse Agency (TAP), National Television, and National Tunisian Radio.
