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Rabat – The Network of cultural cafes in Morocco organized its ninth National Forum in the city of Deroua (province of Berrechid) this week, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The Forum of cultural cafes was attended by coordinators of the Network across the country. Many cities were represented during the event, namely Rabat, Ouarzazate, Sale, Tamesna, Harhoura, Oujda, Youssoufia, Essaouira, Casablanca, El Jadida, Agadir and many more.
On this occasion, the Center for Educational and Cultural Activities “The Green March” hosted a group exhibition of artists Boussif Tanan, Mohamed L’Hamdi, Abdenbi Loukili and Khalid Ait Moumen, and offered the many publications of the Network.
Through its strong cultural and media presence on the local, regional, and national levels, its mission is to provide Moroccans with a space for self-expression through the presentation of a diverse range of cultural expressions.
Cultural cafes held a prominent place in Moroccan culture, and together with the network of professionals and eager creators in the sector, they contributed to the emergence of many notable careers and cultural projects.
Cafe culture in Morocco is very prominent. Recent years have witnessed a remarkable rise in literary cafes, in addition to locations considered by many locals as true monuments of Moroccan cities.
Morocco has a history of cafe culture that extends beyond the ancient, medina city walls in its Imperial Cities.
Locals and Moroccans alike often find their curiosity satisfied by the social scene and 19th-century architecture that surrounds them when stopping for their daily dose of coffee or Moroccan Mint Tea.
Cafes in Morocco are steeped in local tradition and history that dates back to the 19th Century. Morocco’s historic cafes are essentially cultural institutions and play a social and economic role in every Moroccan’s daily life.
Moroccans often joke that “between a cafe, and a cafe, there is another cafe.” These spaces are enjoyed by people-watchers, friends, cafe dwellers, football fans, students, and workers who use the spaces for meetings.
Morocco’s cafe culture, which started within the medina walls a century ago, has made its way into the newer parts of towns of each city and region.
Some of Morocco’s oldest Cafe’s once frequented particularly by older men, expats and foreigners only, have today morphed into trend-setting spots to be seen and as a hangout spot for both the older and younger generation.
Cultural cafes to literary cafes recently experienced in Rabat have formed an interesting mix of locations across the nation, from traditional, functional, intellectual and recreational spaces.
Literary men and women, artists, writers, poets of different backgrounds and artistic and cultural interests travel long distances to meet the public at these locations.
The main goal of such establishments is the exchange of art and the discussions surrounding it, in all its facets.
In June 2015, “the network of literary cafes” was created, after a cumulative cultural experience of over 14 years in the associative field.
The initiative was born in one of the largest popular neighborhoods of the capital Rabat, in the district Yacoub El Mansour.
This proliferation of such cafes answered questions about the possible popularity of such places.
The theater cafe in Rabat, under the Mohammed V National Theater, is one of the best clues as to how receptive the public is to such meeting spots.
In this cafe, activities, such as signing ceremonies, are organized at least once a week or two.
The space has received poets and artists, as well as hosted musical events and theatrical shows.
Despite Moroccan cafes’ history as male dominated spaces, cultural and literary cafes have contributed to the democratisation of access, as more and more women now attend the cafes, in more remote areas of the country.
Morocco’s head of government, Saad Eddine El Othmani, has announced financial support for the owners of cafes and restaurants and the vulnerable workers who are not registered with the National Social Security Fund amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cultural and literary cafes also organized many online events during lockdown, to keep engaging with their clientele and audience.
