Marrakech – In the heart of Casablanca, Heirs of Greatness Day made its inaugural debut today and will continue till tomorrow, presenting a bold vision for Africa’s creative and cultural industries. 

The event, organized under Orun x Designers, seeks to redefine how African heritage, craftsmanship, and design are positioned—not just as culture, but as strategic pillars for the continent’s sustainable future.

The day kicked off with a press conference and continued with a series of exhibitions, discussions, and live demonstrations, showcasing artisans and designers from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal. 

Participating brands include Yoshita 1967, Johanna Bramble, Olooh Concept, Jiamini, and Romzy, showcasing everything from weaving and dyeing to ceramics and high-end couture.

Speaking to MWN, Khalil Thiero, Chief Operations Officer at Africa Currency Network, the company behind Orun, explained the significance of the initiative.

“Orun means something important to us. It’s in an African language, Yoruba, and it means the celestial world; the world from which we all come, so the heavens and everything,” he said.

“Africa is the cradle of humanity, so it was important that the name of the organization carrying this project, which is close to our hearts, be in an African language.”

Thiero emphasized that Africa’s creative and cultural industries are powerful levers of soft power, yet often underrepresented on the global stage.

“Through this initiative, Heirs of Greatness Day, we plan to present the very best of Africa in terms of know-how, with designers and artisans, showcasing things made on the continent,” he explained.

“Their quality and beauty can sometimes make people think they weren’t made here, but they were. This is just a launch, a beginning, but we aim to hold the event every year in different countries.”

Anil Padia, one of the event’s key organizers, spoke on the depth of talent and the ecosystems behind each artisan.

“We have several designers here and artists, each of them who have been working with different artisanal networks throughout the continent,” he explained.

“We have ceramics, we have weaving, we have dyeing, we have crochet, and each artist here represents a whole network of people and ecosystems that have a long-lasting impact on the continent.”

The event goes beyond a showcase: it positions African craftsmanship as infrastructure, a system of knowledge and value creation capable of influencing global design trends. 

By connecting artisans, designers, and cultural leaders, Heirs of Greatness Day articulates a pan-African aesthetic language rooted in excellence, authorship, and continuity.

Tonight, the exhibition of seven Maisons d’Art opens, celebrating the creative synergy between Africa’s finest artisans and designers.