Taounate – The city of Taounate is set to host the inaugural edition of the Taounate Moroccan Poetry Festival from November 28 to 30, 2025. This cultural initiative aims to bring poetry back into public life and honor one of its most prominent figures, the late Idris Ajaï (1924 – 1977), who left a significant mark on the Moroccan literary scene.
The festival is organized by the Taounate Competencies Forum, in partnership with the House of Poetry in Morocco, and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Communication, as part of the celebrations for Independence Day and the Anniversary of Unity. It pays tribute to the poet who believed in the power of words, embraced youth through radio and cultural pages, and opened doors for emerging talents.
Over the course of three days, Taounate will come alive with poetry readings, critical seminars, and open meetings with poets from various generations. During the opening session, the results of the “Idris Ajaï Prize for Young Poets,” aimed at poets under thirty, will be announced, solidifying the legacy of a man who never hesitated to support rising talents.
The program will also honor notable names in the poetry landscape, including Malika Al-Assimi, Ahmed Mefdi, and Mohamed Ali Rbaoui, along with a special segment celebrating the writer Selim Ajaï, the son of the honoree poet.
The events will feature a workshop on poetic writing techniques for young people, a scientific seminar revisiting the collection “Al-Sawanih” through new critical approaches, and two poetry evenings featuring poets from various regions of Morocco, complemented by local musical performances.
The festival will conclude with an exploratory visit to the birthplace of the poet Idris Ajaï in the Al-Jaya region, a gesture aimed at reconnecting memory with place, and recalling the journey of a poet who rose from the outskirts of the mountains to leave a profound impact on Moroccan literature.
The organizers emphasize that this foundational edition seeks to open a new cultural window in the region, enhance the presence of poetry in public spaces, and engage youth in shaping a vibrant cultural scene, “believing that every renaissance begins with the word and the ability to refine taste and instill values.”
