Fez — Moroccan art gallerist and cultural entrepreneur Myriem Himmich represented Morocco at the Siberian Building Week Forum in Novosibirsk this February, emphasizing the strategic role of art in the economic development and identity-building of future cities.
Invited as an international keynote speaker by the National Association of Construction-Engineering Consultants (NACEC) and its Director General Elena Senkevich, Himmich took part in the International Day themed “Modern Architecture: Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future.”
The event was organized with the support of the Russian Ministry of Construction, Housing and Utilities, the Government of the Novosibirsk Region, and the Novosibirsk Union of Architects.
Art as the DNA of cities
Himmich’s speech presented a distinctive vision: cities are not built solely through infrastructure and engineering, but through identity, memory, and collective emotion. “Architecture transforms structures into landmarks,” she noted, adding that art provides the narrative and emotional connection that make buildings meaningful.
She argued that art is not decorative but strategic. According to Himmich, cultural integration enhances a city’s attractiveness to investors, residents, and visitors. Public artworks, she said, become emotional anchors and symbols of belonging, transforming anonymous spaces into recognized cultural destinations.
Himmich also highlighted examples from Morocco, including corporate investments in art and cultural initiatives that contribute to urban development. She cited the Casablanca Finance City and the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in Marrakech as models of how culture can elevate a city’s global standing.
Strengthening Morocco-Russia cultural dialogue
Founder of the Myriem Himmich Gallery in Casablanca, Rabat, and Assilah, Himmich underlined her commitment to expanding artistic dialogue internationally. Her participation in Novosibirsk, she said, reflects the importance of creative industries in fostering economic and diplomatic bridges between nations.
Concluding her address, Himmich reaffirmed her mission to connect Moroccan art with global platforms while strengthening cultural exchanges between Morocco and Russia, positioning art as both a soft power tool and a blueprint for future urban development.
