The Asilah Cultural Festival, a prominent cultural event in Morocco, is scheduled to run from October 2 to 18, 2026. This year's edition, the 47th, is being organized by the Asilah Forum Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, the Culture Sector, and the Asilah Commune Council. The festival will feature over 400 participants from the world of diplomacy, thought, culture, art, and media.
The Asilah Cultural Festival has been a significant cultural event in Morocco for over four decades, attracting a selection of prominent thinkers, politicians, media professionals, artists, and creators from Morocco and around the world. The festival aims to promote Morocco's cultural influence, highlight the country's dynamic cultural scene, and support initiatives that contribute to the development of cultural development in the country.
This year's festival will include several symposiums, including one on "Energy and Water Stakes in Africa and Strategic Projects: Towards a New Political Geography" on October 2-3, 2026, and another on "The Arab World in 2030: Challenges, Transformations, and Prospects" on October 10-11, 2026. Other events will focus on the work of Moroccan artist Tony Maraini and the poetry of Hassouna El-Masbahi.
The festival will also feature a range of activities, including book signings, musical performances, and art exhibitions. A poetry symposium, "New Poets in the Arab World and Transforming Poetries: From Multiple Forms to Intermedia," will take place on October 16, 2026, as part of the event. Additionally, the eighth edition of the Bland al-Haïdari Prize for Young Arab Poets will be awarded on October 17, 2026.
The festival's program includes a range of literary events, such as book signings for works by Moroccan and international authors. These include "The Era of Quiet Transition: The Story of Diplomatic Transition in Mauritania" by former Mauritanian Prime Minister Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubacar, and "Stories on the Edge of Water: Asilah, Home, Family, and Passersby" by Lebanese writer and journalist Ismail Haidar.
In addition to these events, the festival will feature a range of activities for children and young people, including workshops on art and creative writing. The event aims to provide a platform for young people to develop their artistic and literary skills. The festival will also include an exhibition of works by Moroccan and international artists, showcasing a range of artistic styles and techniques.
The Asilah Cultural Festival is an important event in Morocco's cultural calendar, promoting the country's rich cultural heritage and providing a platform for artists, writers, and thinkers to share their work with a wider audience. The festival's 47th edition promises to be an exciting and engaging event, with a range of activities and events that celebrate the diversity and richness of Moroccan culture.
Key points
- The 47th edition of the Asilah Cultural Festival will take place from October 2 to 18, 2026, in Morocco.
