The ESMAR Festival (Spain-Morocco) is set to celebrate its second edition from April 16 to 18 in Madrid, further solidifying its role as a key player in fostering cultural dialogue between the two nations. The event will kick off at the Casa Árabe venue, bringing together prominent figures from the artistic and social spheres.
This year's festival features significant support from the Tres Culturas Foundation, highlighting the presence of Moroccan filmmaker and screenwriter Maryam Touzani, who has emerged as one of the most recognized voices in contemporary cinema. Her acclaimed work has garnered numerous awards at international film festivals, notably receiving the FIPRESCI Prize at Cannes for her film 'The Blue Caftan' and the Audience Award in the Spotlight section at Venice. During the festival, Touzani will also be honored for her outstanding career.
Organized by the Asociación Centro Malakat Información y Comunicación, the ESMAR Festival aims to highlight the role of the Moroccan community in Spain while strengthening cultural, social, and creative ties between Spain and Morocco. Through a diverse program that includes tributes, professional meetings, and cultural activities, the festival seeks to establish itself as a stable platform for intercultural dialogue.
This partnership with the Tres Culturas Foundation reinforces a work focus centered on the Mediterranean as a space for cultural cooperation, positioning ESMAR as a vital exchange platform for creators, institutions, and audiences from both countries.
Festival Schedule:
- 18:00 – Opening and welcome remarks by Miguel Moro Aguilar, Director General of Casa Árabe; Saida Boudaghia Al Azrak, Director of the ESMAR Festival; and Karima Benyaich, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco in Spain.
- 18:20 – Roundtable discussion titled “Spain-Morocco: Connections, Dialogue, and Multidimensional Cooperation. Voices of the Hispano-Moroccan Youth.” Participants include Javier Fernández Arribas (Director of Atalayar magazine); Laura Morales (Research Professor at the CSIC Public Policy Institute and Professor at Sciences Po, Paris); Athir Quannouni El Moumouhi (Banking Manager and Secretary of Sector Participation for PSOE in Collado Villalba); and Mohamed Chouirdi (Hispanist and Social Promoter).
- 19:05 – Awards Ceremony led by Mohamed Rbii Kalifi, Lawyer. The event will honor Alberto Pérez, General Director of Alsa in Morocco, along with a second personality yet to be confirmed.
- 19:40 – Open discussion with the audience.
The festival aspires to serve as a bridge for Mediterranean and Atlantic leaders, facilitating communication, information, and understanding between diverse cultures.
Address: Calle Claudio Coello, 10, 28001 Madrid, Spain
Phone: +34 636 73 59 39
Email: atalayar@atalayar.com
As reported by atalayar.com.
