In a statement to HIBAPRESS, artist Mohamed El Khayari spoke frankly about his stance on transitioning from the artistic field to political work, clarifying that politics is not a field he sees himself capable of entering, despite his long experience in the artistic scene.
El Khayari summarized his position with a clear phrase: "I cannot politicize myself," explaining this by the magnitude of responsibility associated with political work, and the calculations and positions that could result from it, which might affect the artist's relationship with his audience, a relationship he says he has built over approximately 45 years.
From his words, it appears that El Khayari distinguishes between expressing societal issues through art and direct involvement in politics. He believes that an artist can discuss people's issues and criticize certain imbalances through satire and art, without necessarily becoming a political actor.
In the same context, El Khayari emphasized the importance of mastering the field in which a person chooses to work, recalling his personal experience, as he confirmed that he does not present himself as a producer or director, despite his knowledge of various aspects of the field, because responsibility, in his view, dictates that one should not undertake work for which they do not have complete conditions.
However, El Khayari's discussion did not stop at his personal stance on politics, but moved to youth, considering them an essential part of the upcoming phase. He affirmed that the time has come to focus on them, especially since the future will be led by the youth generation, indicating the necessity of giving this group a greater presence in public life.
From this perspective, El Khayari sent a clear message regarding participation in elections, calling to overcome the logic of abstention and express choices through voting, saying: "We must love our country and we must vote from our hearts," before adding: "Let's go vote and shout, even if we are voted down."
This phrase, in the context of his speech, carries a call not to approach elections with indifference, but rather to consider voting as a means of expressing one's position and choice, especially for the youth who El Khayari believes will be at the heart of the upcoming phase.
Thus, Mohamed El Khayari separated his personal choice not to enter politics from his call to youth to participate in electoral contests, while simultaneously emphasizing that art, for him, remains a space for expressing societal issues and discussing their problems, but in a different language based on satire and spectacle.
