Kenitra Celebrates Amazigh New Year with Unprecedented Artistic and Cultural Festivities
Kenitra – Aoussar Ahmed – The covered hall in Sakania, Kenitra, appeared as a vibrant heart of joy and memory on Sunday evening, January 11, 2026, hosting a grand artistic and cultural event to celebrate the Amazigh New Year 2976. This event, which combined art and identity, transformed the occasion into a significant public gathering. Organized by the Timitar Khair Association in partnership with the National Union of Traders and Professionals in the Kenitra region, the celebration attracted a record attendance of over 1,700 people, reflecting the city’s thirst for such cultural initiatives.
The remarkable turnout included not only a wide audience but also political figures, civil society activists, as well as media, sports, and cultural personalities. This diversity enriched the event with a communal dimension and underscored its ability to unite various segments of society around shared Moroccan cultural values.
In his speech, Saleh Aoussar, President of the Timitar Khair Association and Regional Secretary of the National Union of Traders and Professionals, emphasized that celebrating the Amazigh New Year is not merely a festive ritual but a cultural act that reflects the richness of Moroccan identity through its multiple tributaries. He noted that the significant turnout and well-organized event send a clear message that Amazigh culture has become a central concern for society and that investment in this field resonates genuinely with citizens.
Throughout the event, the hall was alive with various artistic performances, as the Ahidous and Ahwash troupes entertained the audience with traditional musical acts that resonated with collective memories. Additionally, orchestral segments and comedic acts infused the evening with a festive atmosphere. The renowned artist Zahra Tamakrout hosted the event, engaging effortlessly with the audience and ensuring the hall’s warmth remained until the very end.
The organizing committee revealed that the overwhelming interest exceeded expectations, leading to the scheduling of additional musical segments in response to the attendees’ requests, highlighting the success of this blend of quality and diversity.
A pivotal moment of the celebration was the honoring of several distinguished individuals from various fields, including Professor Saadeddine El Othmani, Ms. Amina Harouza, Hafida Khlidi, Director of the Kenitra Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Hicham Dkiyk, coach of the national futsal team, in addition to other prominent social and medical figures.
This celebration occurs within a special national context, following the establishment of the Amazigh New Year as an official paid holiday by a decree from His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This added symbolic significance to the event, making Kenitra, on that night, a model of a city confidently celebrating its history and relying on culture as a bridge between the past and the present.
