Thus, the year that is drawing to a close has seen the organisation of new editions of major cultural events, such as the Rabat International Publishing and Book Fair and the Marrakech International Film Festival, which make the Kingdom a destination of choice for the community of intellectuals, artists, and lovers of art and culture.
It has also been marked by other events that testify to the solicitude that HM the King has constantly shown towards the cultural sector.
Among these initiatives are, notably, the inauguration, on the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, of the Royal Theatre of Rabat, by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa, accompanied by Mrs. Brigitte Macron. A structuring project that strengthens the ecosystem of the City of Light, the cultural capital of Morocco.
The fruit of an enlightened vision, this iconic building is intended to be a concrete manifestation of the Royal High Solicitude, constantly renewed towards art and culture. This new theatrical structure is marked by its location, its aesthetics, and its innovative technicality, which represent a major turning point in the Kingdom's cultural landscape.
Launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI and part of the development programme for the city of Rabat, this large-scale project contributes to the strengthening of cultural infrastructure across the various regions of the Kingdom and promotes Morocco's cultural influence in the world.
This cultural influence was also consecrated by the announcement, last October, by the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, of the designation of Rabat as the World Book Capital for the year 2026, as well as the choice of Marrakech to host the 19th World Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities in 2026, two decisions that reinforce the role of these two cities in the global cultural landscape.
The year 2024 was also marked by the celebration of the Qatar-Morocco Cultural Year, highlighting the riches of Moroccan art and culture. It was a unique event and an exceptional opportunity to introduce Qatar and the entire world to the richness of Morocco's cultural heritage in all its diversity, splendour, and particularities, which make the Kingdom a unique, age-old country.
Added to this is the celebration of Marrakech as the capital of culture in the Islamic world for 2024, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The Ochre City thus hosted a series of cultural, intellectual, and artistic events and activities highlighting Islamic civilisation and the richness of a city that is distinguished by a particular charm and continuous urban development, thanks to the Royal project "Marrakech, City of Permanent Renewal".
In parallel, the year 2024 saw the continuation of the work of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco within the framework of its new configuration, under the impetus of HM the King, who was pleased to give it a new lease of life and a vigorous boost.
The Academy of the Kingdom has thus equipped itself with a new vision and structures, by integrating new members, with the added bonus of projects and programmes largely linked to our national identity and open to renowned international cultural experiences in line with new themes.
Likewise, the year 2024 was marked by the official celebration of the Amazigh New Year, in accordance with the decision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to establish this national holiday, within the framework of the constitutional consecration of the Amazigh language.
This year also saw the consolidation of the legal arsenal relating to cultural issues, with the adoption of several laws in various fields, notably the law relating to the protection of heritage aimed at strengthening the provisions relating to the conservation and preservation of historical monuments and sites and objects of art and antiquity, and the creation of a national register for the census of heritage.
It also concerns laws relating to the film industry and the reorganisation of the Moroccan Cinematographic Centre (CCM) aimed at promoting Moroccan cinema in its various dimensions.
These various initiatives and projects, which constitute a new link in a long chain, testify to the efforts deployed by the Kingdom in the cultural field since the accession of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the Throne of His glorious ancestors and embody an integrated Royal vision, placing culture at the heart of the Kingdom's development project.
