Morocco’s Atlantic city of Assilah has once again become a beacon for artistic and intellectual exchange with the 46th International Cultural Moussem, drawing creators from across Africa and Europe.
The annual event, held this year from September 26, has transformed the city into a dynamic workshop of visual arts, discussions, and cultural exploration.
At the Palace of Culture of Assilah, formerly Rissouni Palace, artists are immersed in their craft, from painting and engraving to lithography.
The atmosphere is alive with the rustle of brushes, the tapping of tools, and the focused intensity of creators at work.
National and international media roam the workshops, highlighting the global relevance of the Moussem as a platform for artistic dialogue.
The autumn session opened with a tribute to Mohamed Benaïssa at the Prince Bandar Ben Sultan Library, underlining the Moussem’s legacy as a cornerstone of Morocco’s cultural calendar.
“Every year, artists from different backgrounds meet. We’re only on the third day, and this is when the exchanges begin,” said Abdelkader Melehi, a painter from Assilah and head of the workshops.
This year, 26 artists from Morocco, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Syria, Spain, and Portugal are participating.
French-Tunisian painter Rim Ayari, attending for the first time, explained her process: “I always start with a colored background. Some work directly, but for me this background guides the final line when it dries.”
Ivorian visual artist Mederic Tura, working across painting, sculpture, ceramics, and installation, is developing a series on African totems. “The totem is not an idol, it’s a wise man, an advisor. In Africa, it represents dialogue and advice for the future.
But today, we lack this: everything is conflict, everything is physical,” he said.
Participation in the Moussem is selective, with artists chosen by an artistic committee for their quality and commitment. Works are partially retained by the Foundation, creating a permanent collection that documents these intercultural encounters and preserves the Moussem’s enduring contribution to global art.
About The Author
