Kick-off of the 7th “Ajdir Izourane” Festival

Khenifra – The 7th edition of the “Ajdir Izourane” Festival (autumn edition) opened on Saturday at the historic site of Ajdir (Khenifra province), focusing on promoting culture and intangible heritage as drivers of sustainable development in mountainous regions.

Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this event is organized by the “Spirit of Ajdir Atlas” Foundation, in partnership with the Béni Mellal-Khenifra Regional Council, the Provincial Council, and various other institutional stakeholders.

This event, part of the cultural development project led by the Foundation, commemorates the 25th anniversary of the historic Royal Address delivered in Ajdir on October 17, 2001. This seminal speech enshrined Amazigh culture and language as a shared heritage of all Moroccans.

The opening ceremony of this annual event was attended by, among others, the Governor of the Khénifra Province, Mohamed Adil Ihourane, the President of the Provincial Council, the President of the “Spirit of Ajdir Atlas” Foundation, as well as elected officials, academics, researchers, and civil and military figures.

In his address, the President of the Khénifra Provincial Council, Hamid El Babour, stated that the commemoration of the Ajdir Address reflects a collective recognition of the symbolic significance of this event. The presence of a distinguished group of academic and cultural figures, he noted, demonstrates the growing interest in the Amazigh question and reflects a shared desire to elevate this essential component of national identity.

These intellectual gatherings, he added, constitute a platform for exchange and sharing capable of injecting new dynamism into the Amazigh cultural scene and actively contributing to the preservation of local heritage.

For his part, the president of the “Spirit of Ajdir Atlas” Foundation, Mohamed Yassine, argued that this commemoration offers an opportunity to revisit a historical milestone in the process of promoting the Amazigh language. The Royal Address, he affirmed, laid the foundations for a national vision that establishes the promotion of this cultural heritage as a collective responsibility, at the heart of the Kingdom’s democratic and modernist societal project.

Mr. Yassine also highlighted the significant progress made, particularly the integration of Amazigh into the education system and public spaces, advocating for continued efforts to promote this cultural heritage, in accordance with the values ​​of peace, tolerance, and national unity.

On the artistic front, the opening night featured folk performances by Ahidous troupes, showcasing the rich heritage of the Middle Atlas region. It also included the screening of a documentary highlighting the key moments of the summer edition and the presentation of “An Anthology of Amazigh Song in the Middle Atlas,” a new work produced by the Foundation with the support of the Provincial Council.

In recognition of their contributions, trophies were awarded to several partners, and a heartfelt tribute was paid to academics Mohamed Amoud, Mohamed Boukabout, and Mustapha El Idrissi for their invaluable contributions.

The program for this two-day edition features a wide range of activities combining academic, artistic, and social elements. The program includes an opening conference on the silver jubilee of the Ajdir Speech, seminars focused on intangible heritage, as well as Tbourida performances and exhibitions dedicated to promoting local products.