Rabat – The Ministry of Culture is working in partnership with the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco to add Malhoun to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Minister of Culture, Mohamed Laaraj, said that it is now time to give Malhoun a place among the humanity’s cultural heritage.
“This authentic Moroccan art is a heritage and a pride for Moroccans. It represents a part of their identity and culture, and contributes to the refinement of social relations and the establishment of social cohesion.”
The minister indicated that Malhoun meets the criteria for intangible cultural heritage as announced in the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003, and approved by Morocco in 2006. He added that his department “is working tirelessly to implement this convention through the promotion and preservation of the art of Malhoun.”
“The art of Malhoun is not only an artistic practice but it is linked to all stages of the history of Morocco and manifests itself through the different aspects of modern life,” he indicated.
The chairman of the Malhoun Commissions and member of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, Abbas El Jirari, said that the Academy “is making enormous efforts to preserve this sublime and authentic musical style.”
“The Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco has been working for 12 years to collect Malhoun poetry, which is widely scattered throughout Morocco,” he said.
An “Encyclopedia of Malhoun” has been set up by the Academy to ensure the registration of Malhoun with UNESCO as cultural heritage. Meanwhile, an anthology committee has been established to document and protect this cultural heritage.
