Morocco will participate in the 61st International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale in 2026 with a project celebrating traditional crafts. The event will be held under the theme “In Minor Keys” and will feature the artistic project titled “Asatta,” created by artist Amina Akzaï and curator Mariam Barada.
The Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication has launched an open call for Moroccan artists and curators to submit their projects, receiving a total of 29 applications. The jury, chaired by Mehdi Qatbi, President of the National Museums Foundation, selected the winning project after a thorough evaluation. The jury included notable figures in contemporary art such as Mouna Makhware, Hicham El Daoudi, Aliya Sabti, Mustafa Bouhaiti, Mariam Sabti, Hassan Safrioui, Thuria Kallawi, and Fatiha Tahiri.
The chosen project, “Asatta,” highlights the richness of Moroccan heritage and its interaction with the present by showcasing handmade crafts as tools for narrative and artistic expression. This approach aligns with the spirit of this year’s exhibition, which focuses on lesser-known voices and experiences.
Amina Akzaï, the project creator, is a multidisciplinary artist known for her work rooted in Moroccan traditions, particularly in long-standing collaborations with women weavers and local institutions. Mariam Barada is an experienced Moroccan art curator active both in Morocco and internationally, blending creative vision with cultural management.
Morocco’s participation in this global artistic event represents a strategic opportunity to enhance the national cultural presence on the international stage while presenting a contemporary image of Moroccan creativity that draws from its roots without losing touch with modern questions.
The Venice Biennale, which began in 1895, is one of the premier global art events, held every two years alternating with the Venice Architecture Biennale, serving as an international platform for artistic and cultural dialogue.
