Othmane El Absi

Othmane El Absi is the director of the Centre du patrimoine in Tétouan, Morocco. He has been instrumental in the efforts to recognize Moroccan zellige, particularly from Tétouan, as an important part of the cultural heritage worthy of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. With over three decades of advocacy for this traditional art form, El Absi emphasizes the historical significance of zellige, tracing its roots back to the Almoravid period, and highlights its unique characteristics influenced by Moroccan, Arab, and Andalusian styles.