Participants of the traditional stone carving course hosted by the Maldives Association for Tourism Industry (MATI) in partnership with the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Heritage and Gadheemee Collection were awarded certificates in a special ceremony held last night.

The certificates were presented by Heritage Minister Yumna Maumoon.

Though the course began with a total of ten participants, only six participants completed the course, of which four were women.

The participants were trained by, experienced stone carver, Mohamed Imran Ahmed. The training was mostly focused on our ancestral techniques of stone-carving, said Imran.

Imran, the founder of Gadheemee Collection, added that the participants were taught ancient designs and historical sites were visited for research. Furthermore, he noted that this was a two-month course which is too short of a time period and he hopes future courses will have a longer duration.

While speaking to the participants of the traditional stone carving course, Minister Yumna expressed her appreciation for the participant's efforts to rejuvenate a lost art. She also expressed her pleasure at most of the participants' being youth.

Another traditional stone carving course is expected to be held next year as well.