Casablanca Concert Celebrates 70th Anniversary of Morocco-Germany Diplomatic Relations

Casablanca – A classical music concert was held Wednesday evening in Casablanca to mark the 70th anniversary of Morocco-Germany diplomatic relations, bringing together artists and musicians from both countries in a celebration of cultural dialogue and youth engagement.

The concert formed part of the Morocco88 2026 Tour, running from October 3 to 9 and bringing together artists and young people from Morocco88 music clubs.

The concert was organized by AnouArts Association, 88 International, the Moroccan Institute of International Relations (IMRI) and the Zefzaf Cultural Complex, with the support of German and European partners.

The event featured American pianist and composer Kimball Gallagher, founder of 88 International, and the Cardellino Streichquartett, a German string quartet comprising Clemens Ratajczak, Johannes Krause, Juan Ureña and Emanuel Matz. Moroccan clarinettist Said Cherki also joined the quartet for a performance of a Mozart composition, reflecting the tour’s emphasis on cultural exchange.

The program featured works from the European classical repertoire, including Robert Schumann’s “Carnaval,” performed on piano by Kimball Gallagher.

The second part of the concert showcased young participants in the Morocco88 program, with performances by music clubs from Chraibi High School in Fez, Charif Idrissi High School in Nador and Ibn Bannou Marrakuchi High School in Marrakech. The pieces were composed by the students themselves and specially arranged for the tour.

Morocco88 is a fast-growing program of after-school music clubs in secondary schools across Morocco, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Education. The program grew from global concert tours into a network of youth-led music programs rooted in local partnerships.

Launched in 2024 in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the program now includes around 100 music clubs in public schools across seven regions of the Kingdom.

Speaking on the occasion, AnouArts Association honorary president Najib Zerouali Ouariti said the choice of music to mark the anniversary reflects a desire to go beyond state-to-state relations.

“Diplomacy brings states together, but culture brings people together,” he said, highlighting the role of music in fostering closeness and exchange and in transcending borders.

For his part, Kimball Gallagher described Morocco88 as a program built around three pillars, namely music, inclusion and transformation, aimed at turning students from mere recipients into active participants in their communities.

IMRI President Jawad Kerdoudi said the initiative provides an opportunity to further strengthen Morocco-Germany relations, which he described as “very good,” highlighting the depth of economic exchanges and investments between the two countries.

The Morocco88 2026 Tour began in Nador on October 3, before stopping in Fez on October 4 and 5. It will continue Thursday and Friday in Rabat and Marrakech.

Through the musical event, the organizers seek to mark seven decades of Morocco-Germany diplomatic relations through cultural cooperation, artistic expression and youth engagement.