How to explain the lack of animation in a university city of more than 25,000 students that enjoys numerous assets? The city is only animated during the summer season, whereas it should be throughout the year. Many efforts must be made to achieve a result and make culture a credo to favour the development of a youth that is cultured and aware of its future responsibilities.

In Mohammedia, however, the possibilities are numerous. It is enough to believe in it and take action. Among the structures to be valued are the Sidi Mohamed Ben Larbi Alaoui House of Culture, the Abderrahim Bouabid Theatre and the Media Library.

These places of culture have never been able to play the role assigned to them. These structures have not been able to meet the requirements and expectations of the city because of the lack of adequate supervision and the absence of rigorous management.

The Sidi Mohamed Ben Larbi Alaoui House of Culture has experienced a decline in terms of attendance and the number of bibliophiles. In 1992, there were 2,168 members, whereas in 2005, this number did not exceed 200. The House of Culture, inaugurated in 1990, included numerous rooms for music, fine arts, film screenings, exhibitions and the library which occupies an important place.

Besides the shortcomings in management and programming, other problems have prevented this structure from rising from its ashes. For a communal official who preferred to remain anonymous, the House of Culture must be a place for reading, cultural and artistic animation. "Unfortunately, the exhibition halls and the children's library no longer exist. They were entrusted by the former communal councils to certain organisations that made them what they have become today. However, this does not prevent us from continuing efforts for the safeguarding of the House of Culture," he indicates.

Today, things are starting, admittedly, to return to order little by little, but at a slow speed. Nevertheless, to achieve the expected objectives, it is necessary to modernise the existing (digital library, website, etc.).

Another temple of culture, and not the least, is the Abderrahim Bouabid Theatre which has never been officially inaugurated. This structure which cost a whopping 70 million dirhams was the victim of deadly laxity on the part of the officials. This did not allow it to be a place of spectacle of great conceptual and functional value. The impasse in which this theatre finds itself shows to what extent partisan conflicts, within the commune, blur the values of constructive democracy.

"Those who campaign today for the official opening of this temple of culture, art and music estimate at its fair value the positive cultural impact it can have in the city. The urban commune of Mohammedia signed a partnership agreement with the Ministry of Culture in 2011 for the opening of this flagship building. But nothing has been done, the situation has not changed," concludes the communal official.

Preservation of heritage

The Mohammedia Media Library is among the structures to be imperatively valued. Inaugurated in 2012, it has 749 members (students, researchers, pupils, teachers and even retirees). With 3,000 works dealing with various disciplines, it offers multiple services and makes available to its members a computerised catalogue covering a considerable range of documentaries. The valuation of all cultural structures will give a new impetus and dynamic to art and culture, while preserving its identity and specificities. In addition to the efforts made to develop the cultural aspect, it is necessary to forge partnerships with various organisations and companies, in order to highlight a city that strives to rise to the level of cities that preserve their cultural heritage.