"Moroccan Cultural & Handicraft Week in Istanbul" started Monday at Eminönü Square. Organized with the cooperation of the Moroccan Ministry of Social Economy and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Moroccan Week will be hosted in Istanbul until Sept. 22. Moroccan Ambassador Lotfi Aouad, Deputy Mayor of Istanbul Ahmet Selamet and Deputy Governor of Istanbul Kazım Tekin participated in the opening ceremony. Deputy Mayor Selamet made a speech. He stated that Morocco and Turkey have always had friendly relations. The people of the two cultures lived together peacefully for nearly 300 years under Ottoman rule. "We wish to sustain and reinforce this brotherhood through such events. I find this event very significant in that Turkish people will have the opportunity to have a better understanding of Moroccan cultural elements," Selamet concluded. ;Deputy Governor of Istanbul Tekin also expressed his happiness to come together with Moroccan people at a cultural event. He noted that Moroccan Week would create closer relations between the cultures. Traditional Moroccan food and drinks were served during the ceremony. A band played traditional Moroccan music. The event area has decoration, jewelry and clothing pavilions where visitors can see unique examples of Moroccan art. Among the products displayed are various pieces of jewelry, including rings, necklace and bracelets ornamented with colorful jewels. There are also leather products like bags, purses and sandals. People can find traditional clothes for women and scarves and have the opportunity to have their hand painted with henna. In the decoration pavilion, visitors can find ornamented mirrors, spoons, cups, plates and so on. The event area creates an original Moroccan atmosphere that will certainly urge you to visit Morocco.