The Japanese ambassador to Morocco stressed that it is "gratifying to note that the great geographical distance that separates our two countries in no way prevents such collaboration".

The city of Fes is world-renowned for its cultural and spiritual reputation, indicated the Japanese ambassador to Morocco, Tsuneo Kurokawa, on Saturday in Fes, at the opening of the 1st edition of the Fes-Kyoto Cultural Exchange Festival.

On this occasion, Tsuneo Kurokawa stressed that it is "gratifying to note that the great geographical distance that separates our two countries in no way prevents such collaboration" which "perfectly illustrates the excellence of the friendly relations between our two peoples who are celebrating together, this year, the sixtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and Japan".

Moroccans and Japanese have many points in common, including the richness of traditions and respect for others, specified Tsuneo Kurokawa, adding that these qualities make it possible to further cultivate friendship between the two countries.

For his part, the mayor of the city of Fes, Driss Azami Al Idrissi, stressed that this event, organised on 9 and 10 April by the urban commune of Fes in partnership with the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University of Fes (USMBA) and the Japanese embassy, and which is part of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and Japan, is an opportunity to consolidate relations between the two countries through cultural exchanges between Fes and Kyoto.

These two cities have similarities from a historical, cultural, and scientific point of view, he added, noting that this Festival initiated by the Communes of Fes and Kyoto aims for better mutual knowledge between the two countries.

The resident representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Hitochi Tojima, for his part, indicated that the Fes-Kyoto Cultural Exchange Festival aims to enrich and strengthen Moroccan-Japanese relations and to forge fruitful relations for sustainable development.

The Festival is a place for exchange and sharing on the two Moroccan and Japanese cultures and an opportunity to develop lasting contacts and relations on a scientific, technical, and economic level, added Hitochi Tojima.

For his part, the vice-president of the USMBA, Brahim Akdim, focused on the centuries-old history of the two countries as well as their strategic geographical positions, while highlighting the cooperation and partnership relations woven by his department with Japanese universities in the scientific and cultural fields.

Brahim Akdim also recalled in this context that the student Amina Nit Abdellah Ouali, from the USMBA, had won the first prize of the 17th edition of the Japanese language speech contest, organised recently in Casablanca.

On the programme of this two-day Festival, which focuses on the study of the Japanese language in Morocco and its role in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, are notably the screening of a documentary highlighting the characteristics of Fes and Kyoto, conferences under the theme "Sixty years of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Japan" and "Morocco in the eyes of the Japanese and Japan in the eyes of the Moroccans".

Artistic evenings and shows, workshops highlighting Moroccan and Japanese cultures, as well as fairs exhibiting traditional crafts from both cities are also on the menu of this cultural event.