Historic Recognition for Moroccan Museums
In a landmark event held in Rabat, five Moroccan museums were honored with the inaugural "Museum of Morocco" label, presented by the National Foundation of Museums (FNM). This prestigious distinction aims to acknowledge institutions that meet high standards in the preservation, management, and promotion of cultural heritage. The ceremony was graced by numerous distinguished figures from the art and cultural sectors, marking a significant milestone for Moroccan cultural institutions.
The awardees include notable establishments such as the Museum Mohammed VI of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat, the Nejjarine Museum of Wood Arts and Crafts in Fez, the Bank Al-Maghrib Museum in both Rabat and Marrakech, the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL), the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, and the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts. This certification, which is valid for a renewable period of four years, indicates that these museums adhere to the legislative and regulatory frameworks currently in force, thus ensuring that they meet the necessary standards for collection conservation, management, and valorization.
Enhancing Morocco's Cultural Landscape
The implementation of this labeling initiative aligns with the Royal Vision aimed at elevating Moroccan museums to international standards. During the award ceremony, Mehdi Qotbi, the president of the National Foundation of Museums, emphasized that this label opens new avenues for connecting Moroccan museums with international benchmarks, enabling them to better showcase the nation’s rich heritage. He noted that this initiative is part of a broader Royal Vision that seeks to transform museums into centers of excellence and meaningful spaces for the transmission of cultural heritage.
Abdellatif Jouahri, the Wali of Bank Al-Maghrib, expressed his pride in the recognition, highlighting that the Bank Al-Maghrib Museum has been dedicated for nearly two decades to raising awareness and sharing Moroccan numismatic and artistic heritage with diverse populations. The museum's collections allow for a comprehensive understanding of the country’s political, economic, cultural, and artistic history. Saida Lamrani, representing the Nejjarine Museum, remarked that this recognition acknowledges the significant restoration efforts in the Nejjarine district, a site emblematic of Morocco's rich cultural diversity.
Othman Lazraq, the director of the Alliances Foundation and representative of MACAAL, also conveyed his pride in receiving this label, marking a decade of the museum's impactful presence in the art scene. Similarly, Madison Cox, president of the Jardin Majorelle Foundation, expressed his honor in having the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and Pierre Bergé Museum recognized among the first to receive this label. He asserted that this achievement will likely inspire other museums to enhance their contributions to Morocco's cultural prominence.
As Morocco progressively strengthens its presence in the international cultural arena, the "Museum of Morocco" label is poised to serve as a crucial catalyst in consolidating this momentum and showcasing the excellence of national museum institutions. This initiative is also grounded in the legal framework established by Law No. 56-20 concerning museums and Law 55.20, which amends and complements Law 01.09, establishing the National Foundation of Museums.
As reported by maroc-hebdo.com.
