Founded in 2001, Maroc Cultures is a non-profit association dedicated to the development and democratisation of culture, in line with the vision set out by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Recognised as a public utility organisation, Maroc Cultures’ primary mission is to create a cultural and artistic offering for the audiences of the Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaër region. It is the driving force behind several events, the most prominent of which are the Mawazine Rhythms of the World Festival and the Génération Mawazine youth music competition. To carry out its activities, the Association relies on a team of around twenty personalities and professionals from a variety of fields. This breadth of expertise, combined with collaboration with local businesses, has enabled Maroc Cultures to deliver nationally significant events for fifteen years — positioning Morocco as a reference in the live entertainment and performing arts industry.

Musical Creations Initiated by Maroc Cultures

• Les Voix des Années 70
• Al Aïta: 35 troupes paying tribute to this musical genre, which forms part of Morocco’s national oral heritage.
• Unity Reggae Party: led by Ali Campbell (former lead voice of UB40), this project featured the participation of Sly Robbie, Bitty McLean, Khalifa and Mahmoud Bassou.
• Al Di Meola & Saïd Chaïbi: a musical creation bringing together the great Italian-American guitarist and the renowned Moroccan oud player.
• Lui Fang & Driss El Maaloumi: a musical creation between a virtuoso of the pipa (traditional Chinese lute) and the celebrated and talented Moroccan lutenist.
• Don Big & Omar Sosa: a unique collaboration that brought jazz and rap together in a single performance.
• Collaborations with the Royal Symphonic Orchestra:
  • Sting
  • Ennio Morricone
  • Roger Hodgson
• Creation — Nass El Ghiwane by Safy Boutella: performed by Nass El Ghiwane and Safy Boutella, with the participation of Saïda Fikri and Victor Wooten.
• Bokra: a song built around hope, produced by Quincy Jones and RedOne, bringing together singers from across the Arab world.
• Fortunat Frölich and the Moroccan Choir: an unprecedented encounter between the Swiss composer and a Moroccan choir, performing songs from their respective countries in unison.

Productions by Maroc Cultures

• 18 editions of the Mawazine Rhythms of the World Festival
• 9 editions of the Génération Mawazine young talent competition
• 1 edition of the “Maghrib Attakafat li lmassrah” Festival, produced in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the Mohammed V National Theatre
• Music video for the song Feels So Right, in collaboration with international producer RedOne
• Charity music video for the Arabic rendition of Quincy Jones’ hit “Tomorrow”, with RedOne and several Arab and American artists, with all proceeds donated to child protection associations
• Machâhid: a sound and light show staged on the ramparts of the Kasbah des Oudayas, retracing the key moments in the history of the city of Rabat in a magical and spectacular setting, weaving together images, colours and music.

Concerts Organised by Maroc Cultures

• Piaf — La Vie en Rose show in Rabat
• Tour by artist Gérard Lenorman in Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech in 2009
• Organisation of 3 dates of the ABBA The Show production in Rabat and Casablanca in 2009
• Performance by the Harlem Gospel Choir — the most celebrated choir in the United States — in Rabat and Casablanca in October 2010
• Intimate concert by guitarist Al Di Meola in Rabat and Casablanca on 9 and 10 December 2010
• Les Rythmes du Cœur concert in Rabat in January 2011
• Concert by artist Hindi Zahra in December 2011 in Rabat and Casablanca
• Maroc Cultures’ contribution to the organisation of the inaugural evening of the Morocco Mall in December 2011, with the appearance of Jennifer Lopez