Morocco Celebrates Arab Theater Day Today

Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication celebrated today the Arab Theater Day, paying tribute to Moroccan artists who contributed to the development of the country’s art scene throughout the years.

“Theater has been an integral part of the culture and identity of the kingdom, its art has a deep history thanks to the great names who marked the basic core of Moroccan theater,” said the ministry in a statement.

It acknowledged Moroccan artists’ efforts in representing the country in various artistic and cultural events both nationally and internationally.

Several sectors suffered great losses due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the theater and creative industry in general was no exception.

Speaking on the harsh consequences of COVID-19, the ministry highlighted Morocco’s effort to support theater as an artistic field. It notably spoke of plans to improve the social situation of Moroccan playwrights while “allowing them to work in conditions that guarantee them a decent living, as the rest of Moroccan society.”

In 2016, Morocco introduced a new law to ensure artists benefit from the work and social security rights under Moroccan labor law.

The ministry describes the “Artists’ Law” as an “accomplished form of a qualitative leap for organizing artistic professions.” This legal measure seeks to regulate artistic work in cinema, audiovisual, theater, music etc.

Morocco aims to reinforce its cultural infrastructure by inaugurating several cultural centers and theaters across its territory. Noting the significance of such projects, the ministry recalled the “Theater Moves” initiative that was introduced to Moroccan channels and in which they broadcasted around 60 stage performances in times of COVID-19 crisis.

The program aimed at cultivating Moroccans’ appetite for theater as well as encouraging diversity in the Moroccan cultural scene.

As the ministry prepares to soon unveil a new program to support cultural and artistic projects, it renewed its commitment to support Moroccan and Arab theater. Theater “will undoubtedly be an essential component in the government’s strategy to encourage cultural and creative industries,” the ministry asserted.