Rabat to Host ‘Afrique en Capitale’ Festival

The Moroccan capital city Rabat is readying to welcome a multitude of African artists and culture-lovers to celebrate African multi-faceted culture and also Morocco’s return to the African Union (AU) enacted on January 30.

The “Afrique en Capital” festival, to go on from March 28 to April 28, will bring together movie directors, street art artists, photographers, painters, musicians etc. from the four corners of the continent, says the event organizer, the National Museums Foundation (FNM), in a statement.

The event, which is described as “promoter and federalist” will become an annual festival if this first edition unfolds successfully, said Brahim El Mazned, the general coordinator of the event.

Participants and delegates from at least 30 African countries are expected at the event. Even though names of prominent artists are still kept secret, the participation of Abdoulaye Konaté, the celebrated Malian artist, winner of several awards, including Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mali and Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de France, is already announced. The artist will display his pieces at the CDG exhibition hall, Espace Expression.

Simultaneously, the Malian artist will also come under the spotlight in Casablanca from March 17 to April 16 at Gallery 38.

“Afrique en Capital” will feature street art performances on four walls of the Moroccan capital. Artists will also showcase their painting skills on the city’s tramway.

African movie directors and actors have been invited to add their own touch to the event. For one week (April 10-15) and in collaboration with the Moroccan Cinema Center, directors and several African students in the movie industry will screen their movies.

The event also features a number of conferences and forums, including on Morocco’s historical heritage. Morocco’s Human National Council (CNDH) will give a lecture every Thursday at the Mohammed VI Museum, the event organizers said.