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The Egyptian Embassy in Rabat Launches an Art Exhibition Highlighting the Deep Cultural Ties Between Egypt and Morocco
Last night, the capital city of Rabat hosted a significant cultural event marked by the opening of an exhibition showcasing Egyptian khayamiya art. This initiative was overseen by the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Kingdom of Morocco, Ahmed Nahad Abdel-Latif, as part of a cultural initiative organized by the Egyptian embassy in partnership with the “Abla Ababou” Gallery for Contemporary Art, under the title “Dialogue Under the Tent,” which will run until March 17, 2026.
The exhibition presents a contemporary artistic interpretation of khayamiya, one of the oldest crafts in Egypt, which involves intricate hand embroidery on richly adorned textile pieces. Historically associated with tent-making and public celebrations, this art form is now being presented within a modern artistic space as a means of expressing issues of memory, identity, and transformation.
The exhibition gains a clear Moroccan dimension through the aesthetic and functional intersections between Egyptian khayamiya and Moroccan textile traditions, particularly the “hyati” art related to embellishing spaces with woven fabrics. This similarity imparts a dialogic character to the displayed works, highlighting the cultural commonalities between the two countries in relation to traditional crafts and their evolution over time.
“Dialogue Under the Tent” features works by artists and designers from Egypt and Morocco, blending a clear adherence to artisanal roots with bold engagement in contemporary artistic practices. This raises questions about the transmission of skills between generations, the boundaries of innovation within traditional crafts, and the potential for repurposing these crafts within a modern art landscape.
In his speech at the event, the Egyptian ambassador emphasized that organizing this exhibition in Morocco reflects a mutual desire to deepen cultural and artistic cooperation between Rabat and Cairo. He underscored that the choice of Morocco was not accidental, given its rich cultural and artistic heritage, deeply rooted traditions in handicrafts, and a remarkable dynamism in the field of contemporary art.
The opening ceremony was attended by several Moroccan officials, ambassadors, and diplomatic representatives, as well as artists, intellectuals, journalists, and members of the Egyptian community, in an atmosphere that reflected the growing interest in culture as a bridge for rapprochement between peoples.
This exhibition is part of ongoing efforts aimed at introducing Egyptian handicrafts beyond its borders and showcasing their capacity for renewal and openness to new artistic experiences without losing their historical depth and cultural symbolism.
