Doha – Princess Lalla Hasnaa, president of the Rabat Royal Theater Foundation, chaired the first session of the Foundation’s Board of Directors on Thursday. The meeting took place at the Royal Theater in Rabat. French First Lady Brigitte Macron accompanied the Princess at this important event.
The Royal Theater represents King Mohammed VI’s vision for arts and culture. The Board of Directors will establish and enhance a strategic framework for this institution, following Royal directives.
The Board brings together prominent figures from various backgrounds. It includes Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, and Brigitte Macron, wife of the French President Emmanuel Macron.
Other members are Othman Benjelloun, Michael Zaoui, Makhtar Diop, and Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo. The Board also includes Gad Elmaleh, Michel Canesi, Hélène Mercier-Arnault, Farid Bensaïd, and Mohamed Yacoubi.
This diverse Board combines legitimacy, expertise, and passion. Sheikha Al Mayassa brings bold perspectives on patronage and museography. Meanwhile, Brigitte Macron’s presence further strengthens cultural ties between France and Morocco. Gad Elmaleh, a Franco-Moroccan comedian with global influence, represents theater as a universal art form.
Financial figures Othman Benjelloun and Michael Zaoui bring strategic rigor and enlightened philanthropy. Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of IFC (World Bank Group), ensures inclusive and sustainable cultural policies. Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, a Gulf cultural pioneer and founder of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, offers a visionary perspective on the Arab art scene.
Concert pianist and committed patron Hélène Mercier-Arnault combines musical excellence with humanistic sensitivity. Cultural entrepreneur Farid Bensaïd, diplomat Mohamed Yacoubi, and physician-writer Michel Canesi complete this influential circle.
Read also: Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Brigitte Macron Inaugurate New Royal Theater in Rabat
Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Brigitte Macron inaugurated the Royal Theater on October 29, 2024. The project was initiated under King Mohammed VI’s instructions. The theater is located in the Bouregreg Valley, near Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum.
This cultural landmark was designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. Construction began in October 2014 as part of a larger development plan King Mohammed VI launched in January 2006. The initial investment announced for this project was MAD 1.677 billion ($167.7 million).
The theater spans 7.1 hectares with 25,400 square meters of built area. It features an auditorium with capacity for over 1,800 spectators, known for its unique geometric design that enhances acoustics. The venue is suitable for theater, dance, ballet, opera, musicals, and symphonic concerts.
The facility also includes a second performance hall with 250 seats for various cultural events. Its exterior houses an amphitheater that can accommodate 7,000 people for festivals and large-scale events.
The Royal Theater aims to boost Morocco’s cultural landscape and elevate the country’s cultural presence on the world stage. It represents Rabat’s cultural and artistic renewal while promoting a modern approach to Moroccan art.
