20th Arabesques Festival in Montpellier celebrates Morocco

The 20th edition of the Arabesques Festival in Montpellier, set to take place in 2025, will focus on Morocco, organizers announced during a press conference in Rabat on Tuesday, marking the launch of preparations.

The festival, supported by a partnership between the Hiba Foundation and the City of Montpellier, will run from September 9 to 21. This anniversary edition will spotlight the diverse Moroccan and Arab arts, showcasing music, theater, cinema, and other cultural expressions.

Marwane Fachane, the General Director of the Hiba Foundation, stated that the Foundation will oversee the "Focus Morocco" program, an innovative initiative that will highlight the richness and variety of Morocco’s artistic scene. The program aims to support and promote young Moroccan artists and creators on the international stage while celebrating Moroccan music and other forms of artistic and cultural expression.

Habib Dechraoui, the Festival Director, emphasized the uniqueness of this anniversary edition, noting that the festival is regarded as the leading European event dedicated to Arab world arts. This collaboration seeks to offer a fresh perspective on Moroccan creation and to celebrate the cultural diversity of the region.

Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of Montpellier, highlighted the festival’s role as a platform for dialogue and cultural exchange between Mediterranean and Arab cultures. He praised the commitment of the organizers and artists and emphasized the event’s contribution to strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between France and Morocco, as well as promoting artistic diversity and coexistence in Montpellier.

Attracting over 20,000 spectators each year over 15 days, the Arabesques Festival offers a vibrant program spread across iconic venues in Montpellier. The event brings together music, theater, cinema, dance, calligraphy, and gastronomy, providing a unique immersion into the rich heritage and contemporary creation of the Arab world.