University Theater Festival launches in Casablanca with Spain as guest of honor

Casablanca, Morocco – The 38th edition of the International University Theater Festival kicked off Saturday evening in Casablanca, organized by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Ben M'Sik. Running until July 9, the festival operates under the banner "University Theater: A Space for Atlantic Youth Interaction Towards Cross-Border Cultural Dynamism." This long-standing international event, held under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI, has maintained its prestige for nearly four decades, establishing itself as a prominent university theater gathering both nationally and internationally.

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University Theater: A Space for Atlantic Youth Interaction Towards Cross-Border Cultural Dynamism

Jamal Makhtatar, governor of the Moulay Rachid prefecture, highlighted the significant efforts of the Ben M'Sik Faculty of Arts and Humanities in supporting the festival, describing it as a beacon of artistic and cultural significance. He emphasized the strategic role of culture and arts in promoting understanding between peoples, fostering a culture of peace, and enhancing the civilizational, tourist, and economic influence of nations.

Hussain Azdouz, president of Hassan II University in Casablanca, noted that the festival has evolved from an ambitious university initiative into a prestigious international cultural event. He affirmed the university's pride in hosting this significant gathering, underscoring that 38 years of continuity represent a successful cultural vision that transforms the university into a space for creativity, theater into a tool for development, and art into a bridge for communication.

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University theater is a space for the movement of artists, the exchange between students, and dialogue between peoples and cultures.

Festival president Leila Mezian, who is also the dean of the faculty, stressed the importance of this year's theme, which asserts culture as a robust bridge for rapprochement between peoples. She explained that theater allows for the convergence of multiple languages, the harmonization of sensitivities, and the dissolution of borders, turning differences into shared enrichment. The choice of Spain as the guest of honor aligns with this objective, as university theater serves as a platform for artists' mobility, student exchange, and dialogue between cultures. This also intersects with preparations for the 2030 World Cup finals.

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This tribute crowns a rich artistic career on both national and international levels.

The festival's artistic director, Hicham Zein El Abidine, revealed that 11 theatrical performances from troupes representing Italy, Spain, Armenia, Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco will be presented. The opening ceremony also honored several faculty members and prominent Moroccan theater figures, including artist Mohamed Jem, festival founder and former dean Hassan Smeili, and faculty secretary-general Abdelatif Mertaji, in recognition of their contributions to the festival's success. Artist Jem considered the tribute a culmination of his extensive national and international artistic career, while Smeili expressed pride in the recognition, attributing it to the collective efforts of the team that has advanced the cultural event over a decade.

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This tribute is an acknowledgment of the efforts of all team members who have contributed to the advancement of this cultural event over ten years.