Rabat Celebrates the Launch of the African Capitals of Culture Headquarters
The African Capitals of Culture (CAC) headquarters was officially inaugurated on Thursday in Rabat, marking a significant milestone in the cultural prominence of the African continent and reaffirming Morocco's role as a pivotal player in African cultural cooperation. The inauguration ceremony brought together numerous dignitaries from the realms of culture and diplomacy, including Adama Traoré, the president of the CAC Committee, interim Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture Salah-Eddine Abkari, along with several accredited African ambassadors in the Kingdom.
The establishment of this continental institution in Morocco's capital is a testament to the nation's unwavering commitment to intercultural dialogue and enhancing connections among African countries. It embodies Morocco's vision of leveraging culture as a strategic tool for sustainable development and continental integration.
Strengthening Cultural Ties Across Africa
In a speech delivered on his behalf, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid emphasized Africa's exceptional cultural wealth, characterized by a unique linguistic and heritage diversity unparalleled in the world. He noted that Rabat's hosting of the CAC headquarters aligns with a continental ambition aimed at placing culture at the center of inclusive and sustainable African development models.
The minister also highlighted the immense potential of Africa's cultural and creative industries, driven by an increasingly educated and connected youth. He asserted that the CAC program serves as a vital instrument for bolstering the continent's cultural, media, and digital sovereignty in the face of 21st-century challenges.
Adama Traoré further reminded attendees that this pan-African initiative was born in Marrakech in 2018 during the Africities Summit. He emphasized the central role of culture in Africa's social and economic transformation, stating that it serves as a true engine of innovation, cohesion, and development.
According to Traoré, the new Rabat headquarters extends far beyond an administrative function; it aspires to be a "common house" dedicated to dialogue, cooperation, and the exchange of experiences among African cities committed to promoting culture.
Following the foundational edition held in Rabat in 2022, the CAC program is set to continue its continental expansion, with the next event scheduled for 2028 in Praia, Cape Verde. This upcoming edition will further broaden the program’s scope to encompass the Atlantic, Creole, and diasporic dimensions of African cultural identity.
The CAC headquarters will now serve as a venue for various program meetings, assist future host cities, and facilitate networking among artists, researchers, local communities, and cultural operators across the continent. Through this initiative, the CAC aims to promote culture as a cornerstone of sustainable development, support artist mobility, strengthen cultural and creative industries, and enhance the value of both tangible and intangible African heritage. The program is fully aligned with the African Union's Agenda 2063 objectives for a dynamic, innovative, and united Africa.
As reported by industries.ma.
