The city of Rabat is once again being transformed into a vibrant art gallery, as the second edition of the Grand Prix Jidar gets underway. The public is being called upon to choose their favorite mural from 14 works created during the 11th Jidar-Rabat Street Art Festival. The festival, which is being held in partnership with Rabat Région Patrimoine Historique, aims to promote urban art and give the public a say in the city's cultural landscape.
The 14 murals competing in the Grand Prix Jidar 2026 were created by 15 artists from around the world, including Morocco, Russia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ecuador, South Africa, France, Peru, and Chile. The murals showcase a diverse range of styles, from geometric abstraction to works inspired by local cultures and traditions. The artists have been working in various neighborhoods of Rabat, including Hassan, El Youssoufia, Agdal-Riad, and Yacoub El Mansour.
One of the murals, created by RDS, covers an impressive 440 square meters on a 40-meter-high and 11-meter-wide façade in the Agdal neighborhood. The composition features lines, shades of gray, and orange touches. In El Youssoufia, Italian artist Vesod has drawn inspiration from Moroccan lanterns to depict a luminous and welcoming city. Ecuadorian artist Azpeger, on the other hand, explores the theme of equality in his work.
The public can vote online for their favorite mural until November 30. The artist with the most votes will be declared the winner of the 2026 edition and will receive a new artistic project in Rabat. The voting process is simple: each participant can choose one mural and confirm their selection via a link sent by email. The public is the sole jury in this competition.
The Grand Prix Jidar is also an opportunity to showcase the work of Yankamanta, the winner of the first edition. The Ecuadorian artist is currently in residence in Rabat, where he is working on a new project, "Yankamanta × Thysia," in collaboration with the Thysia weaving cooperative. The project brings together the artist's work with the traditions of the Andes and the Haut Atlas oriental in Morocco.
The results of the Grand Prix Jidar 2026 will be announced on December 5, during the vernissage of an exhibition dedicated to Yankamanta's residency. The exhibition, which will feature works created during the artist's collaboration with the Thysia cooperative, will be held at the Maison Gharbaoui in the Chellah site in Rabat. A short film documenting the creative process will also be screened.
The Jidar-Rabat Street Art Festival has been transforming the city's façades into contemporary art canvases since its creation in 2015. To date, over 146 murals have been created in Rabat as part of the festival. The Grand Prix Jidar is an integral part of this initiative, which aims to promote urban art and make Rabat a vibrant and culturally rich city.
Key points
- The public can vote online for their favorite mural until November 30.
- The winner of the Grand Prix Jidar 2026 will receive a new artistic project in Rabat.
- The exhibition of Yankamanta's work will be held at the Maison Gharbaoui in Rabat from December 6 to 26.
