The curtains have been drawn on the 46th International Cultural Season in Asilah, held under the esteemed patronage of King Mohammed VI from September 26 to October 12, in a festive atmosphere that combined artistic creativity with a commitment to the city’s cultural heritage.
The closing ceremony, organized by the Asilah Forum Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication and the municipal council, featured memorable moments of recognition and appreciation, honoring local actors, associations, and environmental initiatives for their contributions to the city’s prominence and their efforts to enhance environmental and social awareness.
The awards for the “Literary Expression and Children’s Writing Workshop” celebrated promising names in the literary field, including Rouwida Chentouf, Taha Rissouli, and Jannat Benjidd. Meanwhile, Sidi Mubarak Street received the “Beautiful Neighborhood” environmental award, and Zahra El Sennousi was honored with the “Ideal Mother” award, while sisters Fatima and Amina Malaki took home the “Working Woman” award in recognition of their efforts to keep the city clean.
Additionally, Lina El Mahfoudhi won the “Child of the Year” award for her early poetic talent, and the Asilah Forum Foundation awarded the “Association of the Year” to the Hearts of Asilah Association for its educational and health initiatives benefiting vulnerable groups.
In his speech on the occasion, Hatem Battiyoui, Secretary-General of the Asilah Forum Foundation, emphasized that this year’s edition succeeded in maintaining the vibrancy of the season despite the absence of its late founder, Mohammed Ben Issa, noting that the spirit of his legacy remained alive in every corner of the event. He added that royal support and institutional backing were vital for the continuation of this event, which reflects the values of dialogue and cultural openness, reinforcing Asilah’s status as a beacon of thought and art.
The season’s activities included a series of seminars and intellectual meetings, highlighted by a session in the “Creative Tent” titled “Mohammed Ben Issa: Statesman and Cultural Icon,” along with a tribute seminar for visual artist Abdel Karim Wazzani, and another concerning “Atlantic Africa: Towards a Unified African Vision for the Atlantic Space,” organized in partnership with the Policy Center for the New South.
The season concluded with the presentation of the “Chicaya Outamsi” award for African poetry to Ivorian poet Tanella Boni and the launch of new literary works by participating Moroccan and Mauritanian authors, further affirming Asilah’s place as a vibrant space for culture, art, and creative diversity, despite notable challenges and absences.
