Belgium: Liège Celebrates First Anniversary of Unity Day

Liège, Belgium – The Consulate General of Morocco in Liège and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg celebrated the first anniversary of Unity Day on Saturday with a cultural and artistic program highlighting national heritage, Moroccan expertise, and the bonds of friendship between the Kingdoms of Morocco and Belgium.

The festivities notably included the first edition of the Multicultural Moroccan Village, held from October 30 to November 1 in Place Saint-Lambert, in the heart of Liège. This event, themed “Together, let’s create opportunities for encounter, unity, and friendship between our two peoples,” aimed to introduce the Belgian public to the richness and diversity of Moroccan cultural heritage through spaces dedicated to crafts, gastronomy, local products, fashion, and tourism.

As part of this celebration, Liège City Hall hosted a ceremony honoring Moroccan professionals and talents established in Belgium, recognizing their achievements and contributions in various fields.

The ceremony took place in the presence of, among others, the Moroccan Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, Mohamed Ameur; the Secretary General of the Department for Moroccans Living Abroad, Ismail El Meghari; the Governor of the Province of Liège, Hervé Jamar; as well as political and diplomatic officials, Belgian academics, members of parliament of Moroccan origin, and representatives of civil society.

Speaking at the event, the Consul General of Morocco in Liège and Luxembourg, Najah Dimo, stated that the commemoration of the first Unity Day is an opportunity to reaffirm the values ​​of cohesion, solidarity, and commitment to the territorial integrity of the Kingdom, as well as the sense of pride in and belonging to the Moroccan nation and adherence to its national principles.

She also emphasized the importance of involving Moroccans living abroad in this celebration, in order to strengthen their ties with their homeland and to transmit to younger generations the values ​​of citizenship and attachment to national identity.

The diplomat further noted that the cultural and artistic program is part of an effort to promote national heritage and the values ​​of openness, tolerance, and coexistence, as well as to strengthen dialogue between Moroccan and Belgian societies.

Speaking of the ceremony honoring Moroccan talent, she stated that this initiative reflects the recognition of the talents and expertise within the Moroccan community in Belgium, as well as their contribution to their host society and to fostering closer ties between the two countries.

The day also featured an evening of artistic performances by several Moroccan artists and singers, who offered the audience a diverse repertoire drawing on the rich musical traditions of the Kingdom.

They also stressed the importance of such initiatives to raise awareness of the diversity of Moroccan heritage among the Belgian public, strengthen ties between Moroccans around the world and transmit to younger generations the values ​​of patriotism and attachment to national identity, while promoting intercultural dialogue between the Moroccan and Belgian peoples.