“Rooted in the depth and wealth of their respective histories, in their shared choice of the centrality of culture and the arts at the heart of their priorities, and faithful to their age-old traditions of openness to the world, Essaouira and Tetouan have every reason to pool their assets and ambitions to do more and better together today and tomorrow,” Azoulay emphasized on the occasion of the tribute paid to him by Tetouan as part of the 1st edition of the “Soul of Al Andalus” symposium.
Highlighting “the inclusive, proactive and innovative nature of this intra-territorial partnership,” HM the King's Advisor welcomed “the consensual mobilization of the Executive, elected officials and civil society, committed and united to giving this new-generation partnership every chance of success and sustainability.”
“The presence of almost 1,500 people in the room this evening is impressive, and embodies the support of as many people as possible for the prospects emerging along the path that Essaouira and Tetouan have chosen to travel together,” emphasized HM the King's Advisor.
“By demonstrating their determination to make the diversity of our spiritualities and cultural traditions the central engine of our social modernity, we are together giving its most beautiful colors to the historic leadership that Morocco holds today within the Community of Nations, a leadership forged, nurtured and driven by HM King Mohammed VI in a time and space where, all around us, the regressions and archaisms of exclusion are flourishing,” added Azoulay in conclusion, inviting the attendees to “make their own the exemplary nature of this Moroccan reality, which everyone must appreciate.”
Organized by the communes of Tetouan and Essaouira, the Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, the Tamaghrabit Foundation, the Essaouira-Mogador Association, and the Center for Studies and Research on Hebraic Culture and Law (Bayt Dakira), the objective of the “Soul of Al Andalus” symposium is to highlight the role of the two cities in preserving the tangible and intangible heritage of Morocco, each being a unique symbol of the mixing of cultures and the coexistence of different civilizations.
The launch ceremony of the 1st edition of this Symposium was marked by a vibrant tribute to Azoulay for his constant and tireless support for cultural initiatives that highlight the diversity of the plural, unique and indivisible Moroccan identity, and for his efforts in favor of the values of peace, tolerance and coexistence.
It was also marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the development of the old “Al Azhar” bus station in Tetouan, which will house the Tetouan-Essaouira University of Cultural and Heritage Sciences.
