Inauguration of the Museum of Moroccan Jewish Culture in Fez

On the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Museum of Moroccan Jewish Culture was inaugurated on Monday in Fez, creating a new space dedicated to the preservation and promotion of an essential component of the national heritage, in all its historical, cultural, and spiritual richness.

The museum, which aligns with the Royal vision that places central importance on preserving and promoting all components of Moroccan identity in their diversity and complementarity, was inaugurated at a ceremony attended by the Minister of Religious Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq; the President of the Foundation for Moroccan Jewish Cultural Heritage, Serge Berdugo; the President of the National Museums Foundation (FNM), Mehdi Qotbi; the Wali of the Fes-Meknes region and Governor of the Fes Prefecture, Khalid Ait Taleb; as well as ambassadors and other prominent figures.

The French Ambassador to Morocco, Philippe Lalliot, along with the Director General of the French Institute in Morocco, Chloé Goupille, and the Director of its Marrakech branch, Flora Boillot, inaugurated the new permanent museum space at the Maison Denise Masson on Saturday, October 3rd. The museum is dedicated to the life, work, and intellectual legacy of this remarkable figure in the dialogue between France and Morocco.

Located in the heart of the Mellah (Jewish quarter) of Fez, this new museum offers an immersive experience into the millennia-long history of the Jewish presence in Morocco, through a diverse collection of ritual and everyday objects, archaeological, ethnographic, and artistic artifacts, as well as archives, books, and rare manuscripts.

“The inauguration of this museum illustrates Morocco’s commitment to the values ​​of coexistence and respect for shared values, even in times of uncertainty,” stated Mr. Ahmed Taoufiq, emphasizing that this initiative, rooted in history, is forward-looking and carries a message in favor of life and closer ties between cultures.

The Minister noted that this initiative also has a symbolic dimension, contributing to greater understanding between communities and highlighting the diversity of Moroccan Jewish culture, particularly in its linguistic expressions.

The significance of this project, he explained, lies in the recognition of human difference and the ability to live together while respecting shared values, in accordance with the Kingdom’s spiritual framework.

For his part, Mr. Serge Berdugo indicated that the museum constitutes a space for knowledge, the transmission of memory, and dialogue, highlighting the richness of Moroccan civilization and the contribution of its various components to the building of a shared heritage.

He emphasized that this structure aligns with His Majesty the King’s vision for the preservation and promotion of national heritage, based on the recognition of the Kingdom’s pluralistic identity, noting that cultural diversity is an essential component of national identity.

In a world facing challenges that test coexistence, the Moroccan experience serves as a source of inspiration, he stated, adding that understanding others, respecting differences, and recognizing shared heritages are all key elements for building a society founded on peace and dialogue.

For his part, the president of the National Foundation of Morocco (FNM), Mr. Mehdi Qotbi, described this structure as “an ode to peace, fraternity, coexistence, and living together.” “In these challenging times, Fez is sending a powerful message to the world,” he emphasized, highlighting the symbolic significance of this museum, which testifies to the richness of Morocco’s diverse identity and the contribution of its various components to building a shared history.

Mr. Qotbi also emphasized the museum’s proximity to the Museum of Arab-Islamic Arts, located approximately 100 meters away as the crow flies, believing that this proximity fosters a natural and harmonious dialogue between the two spaces and illustrates the richness and diversity of Moroccan heritage.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the museum’s construction was held by the Sovereign during his visit to Fez in April 2019, as part of the program to rehabilitate and enhance the old medina. This visit also marked the launch of the restoration work on the Al-Batha Palace, which has been transformed into the Museum of the Arts of the Isla.