Rabat Hosts the International Festival of Archaeology and Heritage Film
The inaugural edition of the International Festival of Archaeology and Heritage Film launched last Wednesday evening at the Mohammed V National Theater in Rabat, attended by a distinguished group of personalities from various backgrounds.
This cultural event, organized by the Center for Studies and Research in Archaeological and Anthropological Heritage of the Middle Atlas, runs until April 26 and features a rich and diverse program aimed at promoting and enhancing Moroccan cultural heritage. It includes the presentation of thirty documentary films, with eighteen competing for awards.
In a speech on the occasion, the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Ben Said, emphasized that documentary films, which serve as a catalyst for national cultural and creative dynamism, are witnessing real growth and notable presence in the cultural and media landscape. He pointed out that this genre has become a means to ensure the sustainability of heritage, disseminate knowledge, and mobilize citizens to preserve Morocco’s rich cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible.
Ben Said noted that through the organization of this first festival, under the slogan “North Africa: Rewriting the History of Humanity,” the Center for Studies and Research in Archaeological and Anthropological Heritage of the Middle Atlas is establishing an annual event intended to become significant by dedicating three dimensions: documentary cinema, Moroccan heritage, and the prehistoric era.
He added that Morocco, which is experiencing a comprehensive and inclusive dynamic under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, pays special attention to promoting culture and developing human capital, focusing on the contribution of documentary films in raising awareness about the importance of preserving heritage, through the commitment of filmmakers to the public and new generations.
Archaeologist and festival director, Khadija Blamin, stated that this cultural event aims to promote heritage and archaeology in Morocco, recalling numerous discoveries made in recent years, including the discovery of the first known historical village in the Maghreb in the Tetouan region and the oldest agricultural complex in Northwest Africa in the Beht Valley.
For his part, the president of the Center for Studies and Research in Archaeological and Anthropological Heritage of the Middle Atlas, Abdel Rahim Lahrach, highlighted that the festival utilizes documentary cinema, virtual reality, and three-dimensional reconstruction to raise public awareness and facilitate access to archaeological sites such as Chellah and Sijilmassa. He added that this endeavor is a product of a vision aimed at promoting Morocco’s archaeological and anthropological heritage by focusing on scientific specialties, artistic creativity, and citizen participation.
Agnès Homrouzian, the general director of the French Institute in Morocco, also pointed out that the launch of this festival undoubtedly represents an important step towards valuing and promoting Morocco’s archaeological and cultural heritage, as well as, more broadly, Mediterranean archaeological and cultural heritage.
According to Marwan Fchan, the general director of the Hibak Foundation, this festival also serves as an invitation to enhance exchange, cooperation, and expertise in heritage management and promotion so that they can be shared with other African countries. In this regard, he highlighted constructive models and statistics regarding the economic impact of tourism activities linked to heritage.
For his part, Omar Fassi Fihri, the permanent secretary of the Hassan II Academy of Sciences and Techniques, welcomed the organization of this “unique” festival, which will allow a deeper exploration of the past and history for a better understanding of the present, thanks to the power of the image.
He also recalled the remarkable journey of the late French paleontologist Yves Coppens, a participating member of the Hassan II Academy of Sciences and Techniques, who was honored on this occasion.
It is worth noting that this cultural event, organized with the support of the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication and the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, has benefited from the collaboration of the Amiens Archaeological Film Festival (France), which was launched in 1990, as part of current French-Moroccan cultural cooperation policies.
