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Essaouira Soul of Cultures Festival. Image Source: Maroc.ma
The 4th edition of the International Festival “The Soul of Cultures” officially opened on February 15 at Bayt Dakira in Essaouira, bringing together institutional leaders, diplomats, cultural figures, and spiritual representatives from both shores of the Mediterranean.
Co-organized by the Association “Jeunes de l’Art Authentique pour le Samaâ et le Patrimoine” (Zaouïa Kadiria of Essaouira), the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean Foundation, the Machado Foundation of Seville, and the Essaouira-Mogador Association, this year’s edition promotes coexistence, interfaith dialogue, and shared Mediterranean spiritual heritage.
A Festival Rooted in Morocco’s Plural Identity
Speaking at the opening ceremony, André Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and Founding President of the Essaouira-Mogador Association, highlighted the global uniqueness of Morocco’s plural identity model. He emphasized that Essaouira remains one of the rare places worldwide where Muslims, Jews, and Christians gather in the same space for mutual recognition—a conscious civilizational choice guided by a forward-looking royal vision.
Global Voices of Solidarity
The festival’s opening saw significant international support from key cultural and diplomatic figures:
| Key Speaker | Institution / Role | Core Message |
|---|---|---|
| Patricia del Pozo | Minister of Culture (Andalusia, Spain) | Called for Essaouira’s spirit of diversity to resonate globally. |
| Enrique Ojeda | Spain’s Ambassador to Morocco | Praised cultural ties inspired by the legacy of Al-Andalus. |
| Charaf Ahmimed | UNESCO Regional Director (Maghreb) | Reaffirmed Essaouira’s model of intercultural diversity. |
A Spiritual and Cultural Experience
Festival Director Hicham Dinar recalled that the event was created in 2023 to deepen encounters between Muslim, Christian, and Jewish traditions. The 2026 program features a blend of spiritual aesthetics and intellectual debate:
- Interfaith Service: A solemn mass at Notre-Dame de l’Assomption Church, attended by Cardinal López-Romero, Archbishop of Rabat.
- Intellectual Agora: A major round table titled “Mediterranean Hospitality: A Spiritual and Ethical Aesthetic for the 21st Century,” uniting anthropologists, rabbis, and scholars.
- Artistic Program: Spiritual gatherings, Samaâ performances, and discussions centered on shared sacred values.
Embodying the DNA of the City of the Winds
Running until February 17, “The Soul of Cultures” reinforces Essaouira’s longstanding tradition as a Mediterranean crossroads. More than just an event, it positions the city as a lighthouse for faith, memory, and shared humanity.
Source: mapexpress.ma
