Fourth Edition Dedicated to National Unity
The Fourth Edition of the Hassani Cultural Tents Festival Opens in Rabat
The fourth edition of the Hassani Cultural Tents Festival opened on Wednesday evening in Rabat, under the theme, "Fifty Years of the Green March… and Hassani Culture at the Forefront of National Constants." Organized by the National Forum for Hassani Heritage, the event pays tribute to a foundational moment in modern Moroccan history while highlighting the richness of Hassani cultural heritage.
This edition, held in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, as well as the Wilaya of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, aligns with the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Green March. It provides a platform for artistic and intellectual valorization, emphasizing the central role of Hassani heritage within the national cultural project.
Hosted at the National Library of the Kingdom until December 6, this cultural event reaffirms its status as a major gathering that showcases the traditions, arts, and contemporary expressions of southern Morocco. It also enhances the visibility of Hassani heritage in the national cultural landscape.
Senegal is the guest of honor, recognized for the strong historical and spiritual ties uniting the two countries. This choice also reflects the Kingdom’s strategic vision of deepening South-South cultural cooperation and strengthening African relations.
At the opening ceremony, Khadija Laabid, president of the National Forum for Hassani Heritage, emphasized that this "exceptional" edition celebrates two significant moments: the fiftieth anniversary of the Green March and the Feast of Unity, established by His Majesty King Mohammed VI following United Nations Resolution 2797, which recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. She recalled the symbolic importance of Hassani culture, which is a cornerstone of national identity and a vital source of historical roots.
Meanwhile, the Senegalese ambassador to Morocco, Seynabou Dial, commended the Kingdom’s commitment to preserving African cultural heritage, underscoring the festival’s significance in fostering closer ties between peoples.
The opening ceremony featured folkloric performances by groups from the southern provinces, as well as a musical performance from Senegal. The festival’s thematic tents were also inaugurated, kicking off a rich program that combines music, heritage, collective memory, and artistic celebration.
A special tribute was paid to national resistance hero Brahim Douihi, an emblematic figure in the defense of national constants and Hassani culture.
