The kick-off for the 11th edition of the International Piano Competition of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem was given on Saturday at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat.

Placed under the honorary presidency of HRH Princess Lalla Meryem, this prestigious event, which will continue until the 7th of the month, brings together a hundred pianists from Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Morocco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Tunisia, the United States and Vietnam.

Enhanced by the presence of several civil personalities and figures from the artistic and diplomatic spheres, the opening ceremony of this cultural event, which was born in 1994 in Meknès, was enlivened by several pianists, including winners of this prize, such as Sanaa Zanan, Reda Bennani, Dina Bensaid and the Spaniard Daniel Del Pino.

In a statement to MAP, the French pianist Véronique Kéo, a member of the jury, said she was happy to be part of this edition, highlighting the symbolism of this edition, which celebrates the twentieth anniversary of this competition. The French pianist also stressed the importance of this major artistic event for young Moroccan pianists who are invited to discover the opportunities offered by this competition and the various international musical compositions. Organised by the "Les Amitiés musicales" Association, with the support of numerous partners, this biennial cultural event aims to achieve a common goal: to contribute to the piano training of young people.