The capital is putting on African colours for the 6th edition of the Rabat Africa Festival scheduled from 14 to 20 June in Rabat. Based on exchange and the discovery of Africa, this cultural and artistic event pays tribute this year to the barefoot diva: Césaria Evora.

The Rabat Africa Festival is organised on the occasion of World Refugee Day, celebrated on 20 June each year, by the Orient-Occident Foundation. The opportunity for the organisers to highlight the different cultures that make up the African continent and thus allow the Moroccan public to better appreciate them through various activities.

"The Festival intends to continue its main mission focused on the mixing of cultures between Moroccans and Sub-Saharans and on dialogue and equality between peoples", explain the organisers. Who promise, on this occasion, a festive atmosphere, marked by varied and original artistic performances".

Indeed, theatre performances, folk concerts, exhibitions of national and African artisanal products, fashion shows, and dances will punctuate this edition which promises to be rich and lively.

The kick-off of the event will be given on Thursday, 14 June from 9:30 pm, at the National Library. With on the programme, a performance of "The Waltz of the Sorcerer's Apprentices", a show signed by Abdelhak Serhane and which will be performed by the French actor Alain Fromager. Just after, the Africa Djembé troupe will take the stage for a demonstration of traditional African dance.

Another highlight of this meeting, the organisation of an exhibition with the installation of an "African Village", in the gardens of the Orient-Occident Foundation, decorated for the occasion with traditional huts.

Enlivened by folk concerts, "The African Village" will offer artisanal, African, and Moroccan products, based on the principle of fair trade and the social economy, specify the organisers.

An exceptional fashion show is also announced at the closing of the Festival, on Wednesday, 20 June, at 8:30 pm. Imagined around the dances of Gorée, the show will offer beautiful African and Moroccan creations embellished with Afghan and Palestinian embroidery. The evening, which will be held in the Foundation's gardens in Yacoub El Mansour, will be enlivened by ten Senegalese dancers and percussionists.

It should be emphasised that the Festival will also be the occasion to inaugurate the signing of the contract between the Orient-Occident Foundation and REMESS (Moroccan Network of Social and Solidarity Economy).

Finally, let us note that other events of the kind are planned during June: Oujad Africa (from 15 to 17 June) and Khouribga Africa (21 and 22 June 2012).