The Other Side of the Kenitra Festival: Behind the Scenes
Ahmed Oussar
The Kenitra Festival was not just a musical platform that gathered top artists and over 750,000 attendees over four days; it was also a true test of the city’s ability to manage an event of such magnitude. Behind the bright lights that filled the main square, there was a silent army of workers ensuring that this major artistic experience went smoothly and safely.
Every evening, activity began hours before the shows started. Police cars spread out at the entrances, and security personnel monitored crowd movements via communication devices. The scene resembled an outdoor command center. One officer likened it to conducting a massive orchestra, where each member knew their role precisely. Under the supervision of Security Chief Mustafa El Wajdi, various security teams worked around the clock, from managing traffic on the surrounding streets to securing the stage and its vicinity until the early hours of dawn.
On the other side, members of the Auxiliary Forces and local authorities faced a more complex task amid the throngs of people. Some directed families to designated pathways, while others focused on managing the exuberance of youth near the stage. Fatigue was evident on their faces, but discipline remained the order of the day. One security personnel summarized their mission saying, “We do not see the artists, we only see the audience, and our goal is to keep everything under control.”
The vital role of the Interior Department officers, who coordinate field tasks between various security teams and local authorities, cannot be overlooked. They contribute directly to managing emergencies and controlling unruly situations through quick interventions and accurate information, ensuring the maintenance of public order and a stable atmosphere.
Health services also played a critical role in the organization. Ambulances from the civil protection and Moroccan Red Crescent were on constant alert. Volunteers equipped with first-aid kits swiftly intervened to assist cases of fainting and exhaustion among the audience. The director of Almzouri Hospital personally oversaw coordination between medical teams, moving between scattered first-aid points within the square, reflecting an unprecedented field presence at such events.
As the last spectators departed at dawn, another equally important phase began. The cleaning teams from the delegated management company worked through the night to clear thousands of tons of waste, transforming the square into a clean space ready to welcome a new wave of attendees the next day. One worker remarked while picking up leftover plastic water bottles: “When people return tomorrow, they will find the place as if no concert had taken place.”
Not far from the festival stage, an operational room overseen by Kenitra’s provincial governor, Abdelhamid El Mazid, monitored all details of security, organizational, health, and logistical arrangements. His presence ensured that the success of this event was not born of chance, but rather the result of meticulous coordination and direct oversight of the finest details.
The success of the Kenitra Festival in its inaugural edition was not solely dependent on the artistic programming; it was a product of collective effort involving security forces, local authorities, medical teams, and sanitation workers. These are the unsung heroes of the festival, invisible to the audience on stage, but their presence was essential for tens of thousands to enjoy moments of joy safely and peacefully.
