iciHaiti - Culture : The National Handicrafts Office celebrates its 48th anniversary
On Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025, the National Handicrafts Office (ONART), an agency attached to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, celebrated its 48th anniversary. This anniversary provided an opportunity for Ms. Angeline Cherfils, the institution's Director, to present her overall vision for the Office.
In her speech, she pledged to make handicrafts a true profession, enabling each artisan to "fully enjoy their rights and privileges". She considers this date a time for reflection on the institution's concerns and challenges, as well as on effective ways to address them in order to meet the needs of artisans. She stated, "ONART positions itself as an essential pillar of national cultural identity and as an important lever for economic development, promoting social cohesion, harmony, and peace."
Among the services offered by ONART is a credit service, which supports artisans by facilitating their access to financing and increasing their productivity. The inspection service is responsible for visiting artisans in their workshops to evaluate their work, verify its compliance with standards, and encourage them to display their pieces in ONART stores. The artisanal development service focuses on educational aspects, among other things.
