The “Arabesque” Montpellier Festival celebrates Morocco in its twentieth year
Organizers of the “Arabesque” Montpellier Festival announced yesterday in Rabat, during a press conference marking the start of preparations, that the festival will celebrate its twentieth anniversary this year, with a special focus on Morocco.
This special edition, taking place from September 9 to 21, in partnership with the “Hiba” Foundation and the Montpellier City Council, will showcase the diversity of Moroccan and Arab arts through a program that blends music, theater, cinema, and various other forms of cultural expression.
In a statement to the Maghreb Arab Press, Marwan Fashan, General Director of the “Hiba” Foundation, highlighted that the foundation is committed to establishing “Focus Morocco,” a unprecedented program that will celebrate the richness and diversity of the Moroccan artistic scene.
He noted that the program values various forms of artistic and cultural expression alongside music, aiming to support and encourage young Moroccan artists and creators on the international stage.
Habib Dashrawi, Director of the “Arabesque” Montpellier Festival, emphasized the exceptional nature of this special edition, pointing out that the festival is considered the main European event dedicated to the arts of the Arab world.
He expressed that this collaboration aims to provide a renewed perspective on Moroccan creativity and ensure that the cultural diversity of the Arab world reaches European audiences.
Montpellier Mayor Michaël Delafosse affirmed the importance of the festival as a bridge for dialogue and rapprochement between Mediterranean and Arab cultures.
After praising the commitment of the organizers and artists, he highlighted the festival’s contribution to strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between France and Morocco, as well as enhancing artistic diversity and coexistence in Montpellier.
It is noteworthy that the “Arabesque” Festival attracts over 20,000 spectators each year over the course of 15 days, offering a diverse program of events in symbolic venues across the French city. It merges music, theater, cinema, dance, calligraphy, and cuisine, providing an opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich heritage and contemporary creativity of the Arab world.
