This cultural event, organised until 18 January under the theme "Nador, Capital of Amazigh Culture", in cooperation with several partners, aims to highlight the diversity and richness of Amazigh culture and heritage.
The opening ceremony was marked by speeches in which the speakers pointed out, in particular, the specificity of this edition, which coincides with the celebration of the Amazigh New Year, confirming in this regard the efforts made at the national level to promote the Amazigh language and culture, and to consolidate the gains achieved regarding the Amazigh cause.
The ceremony, which was held at the Cultural Complex in Nador, was also marked by Amazigh singing and musical performances, tributes, and workshops for children to show them the cultural richness and diversity that the country possesses.
The programme prepared for this edition includes, in particular, an art exhibition that highlights some aspects of Amazigh culture and heritage, through the display of clothing, jewellery, and paintings, as well as a national seminar on the topic "Record and path of the official activation of Amazigh: challenges of implementation and prospects for societal empowerment".
The programme also includes an educational caravan that will tour several educational institutions with the aim of organising workshops for pupils, with a special focus on Amazigh drawing and theatre.
In a statement to the Maghreb Arabe Presse (MAP), the director of the Ania Festival for Amazigh Culture, Mohamed Amine El Fazzazi, indicated that this cultural event falls within the framework of initiatives led by the youth of the city of Nador to promote the Amazigh language and culture, highlighting the special interest that His Majesty King Mohammed VI pays to the promotion of Amazigh, as a fundamental component of Moroccan identity.
He added that this edition offers a programme rich in artistic, cultural, and intellectual activities, including musical evenings to celebrate the Amazigh New Year, a national seminar, and a caravan in several schools organised in cooperation with the regional directorates of the Ministries of Culture and National Education, in addition to an exhibition of handicraft products created by local artisans.
For his part, the representative of the Oriental Region Development Agency, Abdelmajid Rabah, highlighted the importance of this cultural event organised on the occasion of the Amazigh New Year, which is celebrated by all Moroccans, recalling that this celebration comes in implementation of the high instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to establish the Amazigh New Year as an official holiday in Morocco.
On this occasion, he indicated that the Oriental Region Development Agency supports this type of event that contributes to promoting and valuing Amazigh heritage and culture.
For his part, the President of the Chamber of Handicrafts of the Oriental Region, Mohamed Kaddouri, highlighted the high royal directives to promote the Amazigh language as a fundamental component of Moroccan identity, noting in this regard the special interest that the handicraft sector pays to valuing and preserving Amazigh heritage, known for its richness and diversity.
He also recalled the efforts made at the level of the Nador province, in particular, to encourage young people to learn handicraft trades in order to ensure the preservation of Amazigh traditions and cultural practices, highlighting in this regard that a large exhibition will soon be organised in this city, not only to showcase the richness of Amazigh heritage, but also to take up the challenge of protecting some traditional crafts threatened with extinction.
This edition of the festival is organised in partnership with the Nador Prefecture, the Oriental Region Development Agency, the Chamber of Handicrafts of the Oriental Region, the Nador Commune, the Multidisciplinary Faculty of Nador, the Higher School of Technology of Nador, the regional representation of the Ministry of Culture in Nador, and the regional directorate of the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports.
