‘Rawaii’ expo in Beirut to encourage women artisans

Al Fotowa Islamiya Association inaugurated yesterday its 26th annual handicraft fair, ‘Rawai’, at Al Ikhaa National School in the Patriarchate sponsored by Nazik Hariri, wife of late PM Rafik Hariri, who was represented by Huda Tabbara. The venue embraced 38 pavilions showcasing a collection of handicrafts and artisan works, gifts on the occasions of Mothers and Teachers Day, antique items, decorative objects, bedding and bed sets, wood works, embroideries, audio recordings, in addition to traditional mouneh products. During the opening ceremony, the head of Women’s Sector at the Association, Mounira Sahib, said the aim of the expo is to encourage women to promote their artisanal crafts. One beneficiary in this year’s event, Rida Katerji Khudr, described her participation as ‘successful’ as it contributes to promoting her handmade baskets of dates and dried fruits. She lauded the gains from similar undertakings which she said help build productive capacities and marketing skills of women artisans. For her part, Hiyam Bakr from Darb Al Wafaa association said the exhibition presents a real opportunity for marketing handmade items, noting that the association, involved with people with special needs, has contributed, and for the first year, in displaying bamboo and straw gadgets made by its members. The fair is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm and will last till March 20. On Sunday, March 19, a big charity bake sale bazaar will take place where proceeds are expected to go to relief purposes. (Al Mustaqbal, March 15, 2017)