Kénitra: A Cultural Crisis in a City That Closes Its Doors to Creatives
The city of Kénitra is experiencing an unprecedented cultural stagnation, evident in the lack of initiatives supporting art and theater, as well as the weak institutional presence in backing serious events. This comes despite the city’s wealth of artistic and community talents working quietly, and the allocation of funds by the municipality for cultural activities.
Many cultural stakeholders complain of significant difficulties in organizing their activities, attributing this to what they perceive as the municipality’s abandonment of its commitments and its retreat from previously agreed partnerships. This has deepened the trust crisis between civil society and local authorities.
Recently, a contentious issue emerged regarding undisbursed support for the Development Center for Education and Training, despite the cultural and social committee’s approval of its project related to the sixth edition of the National Theater Festival, organized by the association during the current cultural season.
Idris Tayti, the association’s president, stated in a press interview that the project met all legal and administrative requirements. The association adhered to all necessary procedures and officially communicated with the Kénitra municipality regarding all stages of organizing the festival.
Tayti mentioned that the association received a request from the president of the cultural committee to provide sixty invitations for the council, including one for the municipality’s president, and that the municipality’s logo was included in all posters and official announcements, recognizing it as a institutional partner in the event.
The spokesperson noted that representatives of the municipality were present at both the opening and closing of the festival, delivering official remarks. “However, the surprise was the absence of any disbursed amount of the approved support, citing administrative deficiencies,” he expressed.
Tayti added, “The association found itself in a real financial predicament, forced to bear the costs of the festival through debts and loans merely to protect its credibility before the audience and partners.”
This situation raises, according to observers, a deeper issue regarding the lack of a clear cultural policy in Kénitra and the weak coordination between the municipality and active associations, especially those operating with a professional approach and respecting the terms of engagement.
Despite the annual support allocated from the municipality’s budget, the manner in which it is disbursed remains a subject of criticism. Some stakeholders complain about the absence of clear criteria and the preference given to certain fortunate associations over others that genuinely work on the ground.
Tayti asserts in his statement that the association will resort to all legal channels to claim its rights, not out of financial interest, but in defense of the dignity of community actors and the necessity of recognizing the efforts exerted by serious associations in enriching the cultural life of the city.
In light of this situation, calls are being renewed for a reassessment of the cultural support mechanisms in Kénitra, ensuring real governance in its management, which guarantees fair treatment for committed associations and opens wider horizons for independent cultural action, instead of perpetuating frustration and accumulating crises.
