The 4th International Asfi Poetry Festival: A Cultural Renaissance
The city of Asfi is gearing up for the fourth edition of the International Asfi Poetry Festival, an initiative organized by the Forum for Culture and Creativity Association in collaboration with the Faculty of Arabic Language in Marrakech, along with the Spanish universities of Cadiz and Seville. This year’s festival will take place from April 14 to April 19 under the theme "Poetry as a Catalyst for Openness and Civilizational Communication." The event is dedicated to the memory of the Moroccan poet Yassine Adnan, with prominent media personality Souad Azaitraoui serving as the guest of honor.
Fostering Cultural Exchange and Economic Development
According to a statement received by Hespress, this cultural celebration aims to bridge various spaces, extending from public schools to Moroccan universities and beyond, with the vision of creating a shared environment where poetry serves as a tool for cultural promotion and a vibrant contributor to the economic and social development of the region. This initiative is rooted in a philosophy that views culture as a fundamental driver of integrated local development.
The festival’s organizers emphasize that poetry represents a collective memory shared among civilizations, a means of human intersection and cultural dialogue. It also aims to enhance the tourism appeal of Asfi and its surroundings by linking cultural production with geographical, historical, and natural contexts, aligning with broader efforts to promote cultural diplomacy and regional openness.
In its academic and scientific dimension, the festival will host an international seminar at the Faculty of Arabic Language in Marrakech, in collaboration with the Spanish universities of Cadiz and Seville, scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 9:00 AM. This seminar will feature Moroccan and Spanish researchers and academics engaging in scholarly discussions about poetry, its transformations, and aesthetics within both the Arab and Mediterranean contexts.
The festival program includes various activities that intertwine poetry with art and heritage through poetic gatherings and workshops held in educational and cultural institutions. Additionally, there will be field activities and visits to natural and cultural sites, including a tour of the Bouzaza region to explore its tourism potential, thereby showcasing local culture as a multifaceted destination.
Festival attendees will also witness a moment of honor and recognition as poet Yassine Adnan is celebrated for his creative journey and contributions to the Moroccan poetry scene. Moreover, media figure Souad Azaitraoui will also be honored, alongside the announcement of the results of the "Asfi Poetry Prize" competition and tributes to several cultural figures in the coastal city.
In a statement regarding the event, festival director and poet Mohamed Zain expressed that this initiative aims to highlight the civilizational characteristics of the city, linking culture with tourism and integrated local development, while creating a dynamic human environment based on dialogue, coexistence, and connection between poets worldwide and the broader cultural community. He added that the festival serves as an open space where schools, universities, cultural institutions, and historical monuments intersect, aiming to solidify a renewed cultural radiance.
As reported by hespress.com.
