Cultural and artistic renewal of the capital
Culture as a lever for development
The jewel as seen by the artists
Princesses Lalla Khadija, Lalla Meryem and Lalla Hasnaa, accompanied by the wife of the French President, Brigitte Macron, attended the opening performance of the Royal Theatre of Rabat on the evening of 22 April, an icon of Morocco’s cultural and artistic sector.
This inaugural performance was attended by artists, cultural figures, intellectuals, theatre and visual arts creators—both Moroccan and foreign—as well as ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Rabat and representatives of various international organisations.
Cultural and artistic renewal of the capital
The Royal Theatre of Rabat is not merely a new institution, but a symbol of the capital’s cultural and artistic renewal and of Morocco’s cultural dynamism, which stems from a modernist approach to Moroccan art with all its creative potential.
This unique architectural and urban gem will make Rabat one of the major international cultural destinations and reinforce Morocco’s role as a land of intercultural dialogue and universal values.
The Royal Theatre of Rabat
Thanks to a programme featuring exclusively Moroccan artists, guests experienced a brilliant artistic adventure where composers, soloists, singers, choristers, conductors and musicians came together to celebrate the richness, excellence and diversity of the national artistic scene, which is creative and open to the world’s various musical expressions.
This historic moment was marked by an exceptional collaboration between the Moroccan Philharmonic Orchestra, which is preparing to celebrate its 30th anniversary, and the Royal Symphony Orchestra, which has been in existence for 20 years, on a single stage featuring 76 musicians and 40 choristers under the baton of Dina Bensaid.
The Royal Theatre of Rabat
Designed by the renowned Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, one of the leading figures in contemporary urban planning, and continued after her death by the great Moroccan architect Omar Alaoui, the Royal Theatre of Rabat boasts a futuristic design and high-quality infrastructure, and will host a large number of people and cultural and artistic events, both national and international.
The Royal Theatre of Rabat
The aim is to promote all forms of creative expression, both those in harmony with the historical heritage of the city of Rabat and modernist expressions and styles from both Morocco and abroad.
The Royal Theatre of Rabat
Culture as a lever for development
Since his accession to the throne, King Mohammed VI has made culture a national priority, transforming it into a driver of economic prosperity and sustainable development, as well as a symbol of Morocco’s pluralistic identity and its image of tolerance and openness.
The Royal Theatre of Rabat
The Grand Theatre of Rabat forms part of the Bouregreg Valley development project, presented by the monarch in January 2006, as part of a national cultural development programme for artistic reinvention that aimed to transform the urban landscape on both banks of the river.
The Royal Theatre of Rabat
Located near the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Hassan Tower, the building, which covers an area of 47,000 square metres, is considered the largest theatre in the Arab world and in Africa, giving the North African country greater visibility on the global cultural scene.
The Royal Theatre of Rabat
With a total budget of 1.35 billion dirhams, this giant cultural centre is part of the royal vision to make Rabat a city capable of competing with the world’s major cultural capitals and to provide Morocco’s various regions with cultural infrastructure.
The Mohammed VI Tower, an iconic skyscraper in Salé, near Rabat, the capital of Morocco – REUTERS/ AMR ABDALLAH DALSH
The jewel as seen by the artists
With great pride, the Moroccan artists who attended the opening of the Royal Theatre in Rabat told the national press that this jewel will enable the theatre to host the productions of theatre and artistic companies, expressing their hope that this theatre will help revitalise the country’s cultural industry and boost its tourist and economic appeal.
The Royal Theatre of Rabat
The artist and film director Abdelkebir Rgagna emphasised that “this venue enriches the national cultural scene by opening up to various Arab and international artistic expressions, generating significant economic and tourism benefits”.
This view was shared by Nabil Ayouch, who described the theatre as “a true cultural incubator that enables them to present their creations, given its role in passing on a passion for theatre to younger generations”.
The artist Hassan Foulane noted that Morocco is making huge strides in the artistic and cultural sphere, pointing out that this venue will contribute to the development of the arts in general and theatre in particular.
The Royal Theatre of Rabat
In this regard, the artist and composer Nouamane Lahlou expressed his admiration for the remarkable architecture of this gem and its strategic location. Meanwhile, the artist Saida Charaf welcomed the cultural dynamism currently experienced by the capital within the framework of the royal vision that supports the arts sector.
The Royal Theatre of Rabat
Meanwhile, comedian Hassan El Fad described the building as a true beacon for culture, art and creativity in the City of Lights. At the same time, actress Mouna Fettou expressed the hope that this flagship institution will reignite the theatre scene on a national scale.