With the opening: a unique show entitled "la Halqa", a ritual revisited this year under the artistic direction of Hassan El Fad, linking the oral tradition of the ochre city and the ingenuity of the Moroccan artist and his international counterparts. Under the uninterrupted applause of an audience of different ages and from various backgrounds, a range of Moroccan and foreign comedians took to the stage, in a most festive atmosphere, to present, with professionalism and always in the manner of the greats, their latest burlesque shows, thus giving festival-goers a foretaste of the other shows scheduled throughout this new edition. The opening session of this festival was therefore designed to pay a vibrant tribute to Moroccan traditions in the form of a transposition of popular theatre to contemporary theatre. It is in this sense that Moroccan, French, a Quebecois, and an Ivorian comedian found themselves brought together by the show's conductor, Hassan El Fad, with high-level staging. For more than two hours, aficionados of humour and laughter were able to find their favourite stars and thus, reconnect with their confirmed talents, taking the time to share moments of joy and unforgettable merriment where humour, music, and other surprises formed the ingredients of a singular evening, inaugurating a new edition of the MDR which already promises to be rich and varied. Thus, the public present was invited to enjoy shows offered by renowned comedians, such as Rachid Badouri, a young Moroccan living in Quebec, or the master of Halqa Khalid Zemmouri, the young Franco-Moroccan comedian Haroun, the renowned comedian Patrice Thibaud, and many others. This evening, which was also an opportunity to celebrate the return to the first division of the Kawkab Athlétic Club de Marrakech (KACM) football team, was enhanced by a cocktail of music performed by a predominantly female musical troupe from the city of Sefrou, as well as by talented singers, such as Amir Ali or Cheb Bilal. Between shows offered by snake charmers, sequences taken from the latest theatrical play entitled "Ach Eddani" by the Arlequin troupe, one-man shows recounting, in a burlesque manner, the daily troubles of Moroccans from here and elsewhere, and shows offered by giant puppets, the public present expressed their wonder and joy at being in Marrakech, a destination of relaxation, hospitality, and humour par excellence. Having gained maturity, the Marrakech du Rire, which will continue until 9 June in the ochre city, is enhanced, this year, by a programme just as rich and varied in laughter, with the staging of artists highly loved by the entire public, such as Hassan El Fad who will present in a special evening on Saturday 8 June, his latest show entitled Ain Sebaâ, a sort of autobiography presented in a comical way, recounting the comedian's childhood memories as well as his adventures in the neighbourhood where he was born. Festival-goers will also have the pleasure of enjoying shows presented to them by Moroccan and foreign comedians, such as Haroun, Ekko, Kamar, Malik Bentalha, and Youssef Kssiyer. One of the strong points of this Festival is the promotion of innovation and creativity which constitute the hobbyhorse of the festival team. Thus, far from the classic and usual comedy shows, it was also decided to call upon more attractive artistic techniques, among others, mime and puppets, respectively transcribed by Patrice Thibaud and the illustrious Burattini family. As for the closing evening "the Gala", which will take place at the mythical Badii Palace in the heart of the old Medina of Marrakech, it will be rich in colour and will see the participation of big names in international comedy, such as the founder of the MDR, Jamel Debbouze, Franck Dubosc, Anthony Kavanagh, Jonathan, Lambert Audrey, Lamy Kamel the magician, and others. This is to say that the MDR is, from now on, the annual meeting for laughter and stand-up comedy par excellence and where the public, among the locals and visitors to the ochre city, will have the chance to meet together, in a friendly and festive atmosphere, the time to reconnect with gifted artists from several scenes and all having in common an imagination that is overflowing and limitless and a know-how that is so rare, that of sowing joy wherever they go and making the room where they perform twist with laughter. On the menu for this edition are also unique shows with the comedian Eko d'Abderramane Ouaabad with his new show entitled "Ch'tatata", a true journey into the comedian's childhood and adolescence, passing through his schooling. Festival-goers will also be at the rendezvous with a Jamel Comedy Club show, directed by Franck Cimière. This collective show will be carried by Jean-François Cayrey, Malik Bentalha, Redouanne Harjane, D'jal, Noman Hosni, Waly Dia, and Tony Saint Laurent. In addition to comedy shows, the festival also provides masterclasses for young artists, a circus show with the "Eclats de Lune" collective, in addition to screenings at the Jemâa El Fna square of classic comedy films "The Kid" and "The Circus" and a charity match at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, for the benefit of the Al Karam Association for the protection of children in precarious situations.