Assilah Cultural Moussem closes its curtains with focus on city’s components

ASSILAH - The 46th edition of the Assilah International Cultural Moussem closed Sunday its curtains with a focus on the northern Moroccan coastal city’s youth, rewarding them for their talents and high school grades and rewarding role model mothers.

Hatim Betioui, Secretary General of the Assilah Forum Foundation, said the 46th edition was concluded exceptionally by all standards, a season that was held in the absence of its founder late Mohamed Benaissa but whose spiritual presence permeated every corner of the city and every moment of this season that he loved and devoted his life to serving.

Betioui said that the success of the Moussem was the fruit of continuous, sublime royal support and patronage of King Mohammed VI.

“Since its inception, the Asilah Cultural Season has had an economic impact on the city's inhabitants. The season is a fundamental lever for the local economy and a stimulant for cultural tourism in the city, as it revitalizes various sectors such as accommodation, restaurants, transport, commerce, and service contracting,” said Betioui. “Most of the services provided are assigned to local contractors, which contributes to supporting the economic fabric and encouraging local entrepreneurs.”

Lina Al-Mahfoud, an emerging young talent of Assilah wrote a heartfelt speech on Benaissa, which she read out before the audience.

“To Mr. Mohamed Benaissa. Strange is this world: souls depart and others arrive in our world every day. Some are immortalized in memory, with glory as their soil, and some are betrayed by memory, which buries them in the graveyard of oblivion," said Mahfoud.

"I still remember that day in that cold hall, but warm with the presence of those in it. I was back then, and still am, a merely dreamy girl for whom the world had placed on her back the sword of responsibility that comes with the first step outside the comfort zone," she read with eloquence.

"Lights flood the scene... and words between the lines... an award is received... and an elegant man says, 'Congratulations, my daughter.' He said it with a smile that revealed my gap-toothed grin. He seemed to be in his 60s, even though he had then surpassed the age of 90."

"Three words and one meeting …and institutions stumble and awaken... in addition to deeds that convey the echo of his goodness... and the happiness on his face. This is what has spilled ink on paper and tears on the cheek. You were always, and will remain, that bird that resists the wind, migrates, then returns, faithful until he hears us sing the song of success. Your wave sails towards glory and highness, so we see you..." she concluded to a huge applause.

Betioui followed on Benaissa’s footsteps to reward all components of the population of Assilah: students, creators, and personalities in the city; from the ideal mother to the working woman besides an association and the cleanest street.