Cairo, March 14, 2019

Grassroots Assistance

Japan Supports Revitalization of Traditional Craft in the Historic Cairo

      

On March 14th of 2019, Mr. Masaki Noke, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt and General Gamal Aldin Zaki, Chairperson of Nile Palace Charity Foundation, signed a grant contract for Japanese Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots and Human Security Projects.

The grant assistance amounting to US$85,749 is extended by the Government of Japan to the Foundation for the purpose of revitalizing traditional craft in the Historic Cairo. This project entails innovative characteristics of combining tradition and modern woodcraft techniques by introducing cutting-edge 3D printing device. Through fusion of the modern and the tradition, local artisans will be able to produce distinguished products. The aim of this project is to establish a market and exhibition area for local craftsmen at which enables to showcase their unique and beautiful crafts to tourists. The program also offers Egypt-Japan collaboration of inter-cultural woodcraft workshops by inviting a Japanese artisan, which encourages dynamic interactions of artisans in the Historic Cairo.

At the grant contract signing ceremony, the long-standing cooperation between Japan and Egypt in various fields was highlighted. This time, the project focuses on the aspect of preserving and revitalizing traditional culture in the Historic Cairo. Ambassador Noke stressed the value of intangible asset, namely ‘tradition’ and the significance of transferring knowledge and insight from generation to generation. General Gamal Zaki expressed his gratitude for continuous support of Japanese government and this particular initiative to revitalize traditional woodcrafts which signifies Historic Cairo. Engineer Mohamed Abou Saeda, Director of National Organization for Urban Harmony expressed his appreciation of Japanese Assistance for NGOs, and the support provided to preserve the Egyptian traditional heritage and culture which express the national identity of the country as a way to face the challenges of globalization. Number of local artisans showed their enthusiasm for the initiation of the project and expressed their admiration of Japanese tradition and culture.

This grant is extended under the Japanese government’s assistance scheme of the “Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots and Human Security Projects” which provides direct support to non-profitable organizations including NGOs in fields such as health, social care, education, environment, vocational training, and empowerment of women. Under this scheme, Japan has supported around 165 projects since 1994 to date.

For more details, kindly refer to the Embassy of Japan homepage at URL: https://www.eg.emb-japan.go.jp/e/assistance/grass_roots/index.htm