Moroccan documentary on ancient pulpit rehabilitation prized in France

A documentary on the rehabilitation of the Koutoubia Minbar (pulpit) won the golden trophy of the recent international festival of craft images held in Pezenas (southern France).

The documentary by Faten Safiedine won the praise of all the jury, made up of several French handicraft experts.

The film traces the history of the 12th century Koutoubia Minbar, a masterpiece of the Arab-Andalucian civilization. The Minbar was rehabilitated by a team of experts from the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York with the participation of Moroccan craftsmen.

On the sidelines of the festival, a delegation from the Moroccan Atlantic city of Essaouira which is twinned with Pezenas, discussed with mayor of the french town, Alain Vogel Singer, the possibility to hold the festival in Essaouira in year 2000. Talks also covered means of consolidating partnership between the two cities.