Mohamed Mahdi Bensaid, the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, today inaugurated a series of developmental and cultural projects in the regions of Zagora and Errachidia. This included the construction of youth and cultural centers and laying the foundation stone for the rehabilitation of the archaeological site of Sijilmasa.
In Errachidia, the minister launched the restoration and rehabilitation project for the historic Sijilmasa site, with a budget of 245 million dirhams. The project aims to preserve this cultural heritage and enhance the archaeological discoveries made at the site since 1971, in addition to constructing a metallic structure to protect the remains of the ancient city.
A preliminary museum will also be established at the heart of the site to provide visitors with an interactive experience that revives the history of Sijilmasa, a central station in desert trade. The project will also feature tourist routes and a center for historical research and studies to connect Sijilmasa with other heritage sites in Tafilalet, thereby enhancing the region’s tourist appeal.
In Zagora, the minister oversaw the signing of four partnership agreements concerning the construction and equipping of centers and facilities for youth and childhood. These projects include building a youth and childhood center in Zagora at a cost of 3.4 million dirhams, along with establishing youth centers in the municipalities of Tazarin, Beni Zoli, and Ait Llal at a budget of 3.6 million dirhams.
The minister also reviewed a project for the renovation and equipping of the cultural center in Zagora, alongside projects to create a music academy in the city and local cultural centers in Tazarin, Agdz, and Takouine. The total funding for these initiatives amounts to 37.6 million dirhams, with the ministry contributing 30 million dirhams, and the projects expected to be completed during 2025 and 2026.
Additionally, the minister visited the rock engravings site at Foum Chena near Tinzouline, which is an archaeological site featuring drawings and engravings that depict scenes from ancient daily life, including hunting, battles, and images of domestic and wild animals, highlighting the historical and cultural significance of these rare landmarks.
