The third version of the Spirit of Cultures Festival concluded on Sunday at Bayt Dakira in Essaouira, reaffirming a renewed dedication to peace and intercultural dialogue.
Over three days, the town, referred to as the City of Winds, hosted discussions, conferences, and performances celebrating the shared religious heritage of the three monotheistic religions. The occasion introduced collectively distinguished diplomatic, cultural, and non secular figures to alternate concepts on the challenges of interfaith dialogue and coexistence.
In his tackle, André Azoulay, advisor to King Mohammed VI and founding president of the Essaouira-Mogador Association, emphasised that the pageant is greater than only a cultural occasion—it’s an act of resilience.
“At a time when tensions, divisions, and extremism threaten our world, we choose to come together, engage in dialogue, and build bridges instead of walls,” Azoulay said.
He reminded attendees that all through the twelfth, thirteenth, and 14th centuries, monotheistic religions engaged in mutual understanding and enlightenment. However, within the twenty first century—regardless of technological developments—humanity appears to be regressing when it comes to unity. “This paradox is alarming and should serve as a wake-up call,” he warned.
Azoulay additionally highlighted Morocco’s distinctive position as a mannequin of peaceable coexistence underneath the management of King Mohammed VI, reinforcing its dedication to tolerance and variety.
Patricia del Pozo Fernández, Minister of Culture and Sports of Andalusia, underscored the significance of preserving “the spirit of Essaouira” past the pageant days.
“We leave Essaouira changed, enriched from within, carrying new energy and renewed hope,” she stated.
A consultant of the Islamic Culture and Religious Tolerance Foundation (Spain) additionally emphasised the importance of the pageant as a testomony to the Andalusian legacy and the long-standing custom of coexistence uniting each shores of the Mediterranean.
“Essaouira embodies this shared memory, this bridge between East and West, between cultures and spiritual traditions. More than ever, we bear the responsibility to revive this heritage and make it a foundation for peace and mutual understanding,” he said.
The closing day featured a seminar on “The Role of Sufi Brotherhoods in Preserving Popular Religious Practices and Strengthening Social Bonds.” Moroccan and worldwide students highlighted the historic and up to date significance of Moroccan zawiyas (spiritual brotherhoods) and their Spanish Sufi counterparts as pillars of spirituality, social cohesion, and ethical and cultural transmission.
Under the theme “Our Shared Spirituality: Between Ethics and Beauty,” this yr’s pageant additionally showcased musical and inventive performances celebrating Sufi traditions in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. These performances mirrored the common language of artwork and spirituality, reinforcing the pageant’s mission to foster cultural dialogue.
Organized in partnership with the Youth of Authentic Art Association for Sama’ and Heritage, the Qadiri Zawiya of Essaouira, the Three Cultures Foundation of the Mediterranean, and the Machado Foundation of Seville, the Spirit of Cultures Festival continues to function a bridge between traditions and communities.
Through its wealthy and numerous programming, the pageant solidifies Essaouira’s fame as a vibrant hub for interfaith dialogue and peaceable coexistence, providing a long-lasting instance of cultural and religious unity in an more and more divided world.
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