Morocco Celebrates Music, Return of Public Concerts

Rabat – Morocco’s Mohammed V Theater in Rabat on Monday held a concert to celebrate the return of live shows after months of closure due to the pandemic.

The event, which was themed “We Are Back” in reference to the return of live music festivals and shows, also sought to celebrate the International Music Day, an annual event held every June 22.

L’Orchestre Philharmonique du Maroc performed a number of well-known signature tunes to open the “ musical event.

The orchestra performed Morocco’s national anthem and several other pieces with themes of emotional attachment and collective joy, littering the evening with happy return notes that associated the “We Are Back” event with signs of new beginnings and hopes.

Also featured at the free concert were violinist Farid Bnsaid and pianist Dina Bensaid.

Caroline Saunier, Deputy Director of the Tenor Foundation for Culture, expressed satisfaction with the concert, emphasizing that Morocco’s Orchestre Philharmonique has existed for 25 years.

The orchestra was created in 1996 and now comprises over 80 professional musicians.

The seasonal concerts give around 50 concerts, offering audiences different programs spanning three centuries of music, including opera.

Saunier told Morocco World News that this year is special as it has been “15 months that we could not play in front of the public. We are happy to meet them.”

In March of last year, Morocco’s government introduced a state of emergency that has been extended on a monthly basis as part of the preventive measure to contain the spread of COVD-19.

Under the measure, Morocco announced a decision to shut down all public spaces, including cinemas, theaters, and cultural centers.

Despite the implementation of gradual lockdown easing in recent weeks, it was not until June 1 that movie theaters, cultural centers, and other public spaces were allowed to reopen.