HIBAPRESS – (Omar Razzini: Barcelona Office)
The city of Barcelona hosted the activities of the Moroccan Cultural Week, organized by the Ibn Battuta Foundation, in a prominent cultural initiative that reflects the Moroccan community's and its supporting institutions' keenness to consolidate the Moroccan presence within the Catalan and Spanish cultural space in general. This event was distinguished by an official and balanced presence, making it one of the most prominent cultural events for the community during the year.
The event witnessed the participation of the Consuls General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Barcelona, Tarragona, and Girona, in addition to the prominent honorary presence of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Spain, Ms. Karima Benyaich, who is one of the most important Moroccan diplomatic figures on the European scene. Also present were a number of official figures and local officials from the Barcelona municipality and various administrative institutions, which gave the event an official character that reflects the size of the interest in bilateral relations between Morocco and Spain. In an opening speech for this event, Mr. Mohammed Chaib, President of the Ibn Battuta Foundation, emphasized that Moroccan culture is an essential element in promoting communication between peoples, highlighting that the Cultural Week aims to introduce the richness and diversity of Moroccan heritage, and to highlight the important role played by the Moroccan community in Catalonia. He also stressed the strength of Moroccan-Spanish relations, confirming that culture has been and still is a real bridge for rapprochement between the two countries.
For her part, Ambassador Karima Benyaich praised Moroccan diplomacy and the role it plays in supporting cultural initiatives abroad, considering that organizing such events enhances the Moroccan presence within Spanish society and contributes to consolidating the values of coexistence and mutual respect. The Ambassador also highlighted the importance of cultural work in strengthening bilateral relations, pointing out that Morocco and Spain share several historical and civilizational ties that deserve to be strengthened through initiatives of this type. The Cultural Week included the organization of a series of activities, artistic and musical performances, and art exhibitions that introduced the public to the rich Moroccan heritage, in addition to intellectual seminars that shed light on the history of Moroccan-Spanish relations and the role of the Moroccan community in building bridges of communication within Catalan society. The event received a great response from various components of the Moroccan community, in addition to clear interest from the residents and visitors of Barcelona, who found in this event an opportunity to discover aspects of Moroccan culture, whether in art, heritage, or social customs. With this event, the Ibn Battuta Foundation once again affirms its pioneering role as a bridge between the Moroccan community and Spanish institutions, and its keenness to promote cultural dialogue and appreciate the Moroccan presence in Catalonia. The Cultural Week also constitutes a new opportunity to reaffirm the strength of the ties between Morocco and Spain and the growing cooperation between the two countries in various fields, foremost of which is the cultural field.
